Plan for the Future
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph James Sergeant, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Joe passed away peacefully at Villa Marie Claire Residential Hospice in Saddle River, New Jersey, on July 27, 2024, at the age of 64, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Joe was born and raised in Edison, New Jersey. Some of his fondest early memories were on the basketball court and baseball field. His father, Raymond, affectionately known as Poppy, never missed one of Joe’s games. Together, they shared an unbreakable bond over their mutual love for baseball, attending Mets games or watching them together on TV. His mother, Lillian was a guiding force, instilling in Joe and his siblings a commitment to education and excellence.
Joe attended the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut, where he met Nancy, the love of his life. They married upon his graduation from Cornell University Law School and embarked on a journey that included a shared love of travel, family, and adventure.
In 1995, the birth of their son Nick marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with joy, discovery, and endless adventures. Joe embraced fatherhood with the same passion he brought to everything in life, sharing his love of the outdoors and creating cherished memories with his family.
He built a successful legal career, working the last 27 years at U.S. Land Resources and Berger and Bornstein. Joe’s intelligence, legal acumen, and gift for storytelling helped win cases, even at the New Jersey Supreme Court level. On the side, he was a private college admissions coach, helping high school students find the right fit and relieving the parent/child stress on the family during the application process. It was a labor of love that he continued through his final days, and his impact on students is immeasurable.
Joe lived every day to its fullest, always putting family and friends at the heart of his world. His happiest moments were those spent with loved ones, whether at their home in New Jersey or their family retreat overlooking Sabino Canyon in Tucson, Arizona—a place that felt just as much like home to him. Joe loved showing friends around Tucson, sharing his joy for life and the beauty of the landscape with his signature warmth and enthusiasm.
Known for his big heart and infectious personality, Joe greeted everyone with a smile and one of his famous bear hugs. He had a way of making everyone feel special, engaging them in conversation about anything from the Mets and Jets to travel, food, wine, and life’s philosophies. He had a knack for giving people affectionate nicknames, like “Spu,” “Violet,” and “Renee,” which they cherished. And he was lovingly known as “Joe-Joe”.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Nancy (Weiss), their son, Nicholas (Nick) Sergeant, and Nick’s partner, Rachael Richard. He is predeceased by his parents, Raymond (Poppy) and Lillian (Baba) Sergeant. Joe was the youngest of four children, who were all born within 10 years of one another. He leaves behind his brother, Raymond Sergeant, and wife Regina; his sisters, Nancy Sergeant Abbate and husband Dennis Abbate, and MaryAnn Kopelov and husband Danny Kopelov. Joe was also embraced as a son by his wife’s parents, Mary (Lombardi) and Edward Weiss, and was loved like a brother by Nancy’s siblings: Edward (Ed) Weiss, Michael (Mike) Weiss and wife Cindy (Lutz), John Weiss, and Susan (Sue) Benna and husband Frank. Joe also adored his nieces and nephews: Jennifer (and Eric), Becky (and Scott), Kris (and Michele), Jackie, Liz (and Chris), Griffin (and Christine), Brooke, Hannah, and Leah, who lovingly called him Uncle Joe or Joe-Joe. He was also blessed with great nieces and nephews: Juniper, Michael, Kaylee, and Wyatt.
Joe will be forever remembered for his larger-than-life personality, his kindness, and the love he had for his family and friends. His presence brightened every room, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
