Plan for the Future
Joseph M. Blanda, passed away on Saturday Nov. 3rd, 2012 at the age of 73. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 16th, at 10:45 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 306 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ. Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 15th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main st. Chatham.
Born and raised in Irvington NJ, Joe moved to Springfield, NJ in 1956, and settled down in Mountainside, NJ where he raised his family and eventually retired. He was a graduate of Montclair State Teachers College in 1962, where upon graduation began his teaching career of 34 years. He went on to earn his MA in Administration & Supervision from Newark State Teachers College (Kean University) in 1962. Joe was an exceptional and passionate educator for the Springfield B.O.E., serving 2 of those years as Administrative Assistant. He was also Assistant to the Director of Recreation and was recognized with an Award for Outstanding Achievement in dedicating 22 years of service to recreation development of the citizens and youth of Springfield. Joe served in the US Army Reserves for 6 years and was a long time parishioner and Head Usher at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountanside. He played softball and was an A.S.A umpire for 20 years. He was also a member of the NJEA, NEA, & Springfield Education Association.
Above all, Joe was a loving father, grandfather, and friend to many. He is survived by his son Joseph M. Blanda Jr. and wife Kim; daughter Stacey A. Blanda; grandchildren Ashley and Ethan; sister Marguerite Kosowicz and husband Dennis; nieces Lynn McKenna and husband Matthew & Kristine Benson and husband Michael, and many other loving relatives and friends.