Raritan Township, NJ - Joseph A. Bongiorno 84, of Flemington, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, May 5th 2012.
Joseph was a teacher, football coach, principal and school administrator in the Bloomfield Public Schools for more than thirty years. He lived in Flemington for the past sixteen years.
A World War II veteran and graduate of Panzer College and Montclair State University, Mr. Bongiorno began his career as an elementary school teacher in Riverdale New Jersey.
He was a science teacher and football coach at Bloomfield South Junior High School where he led the football team to many successes, most notably an undefeated and unscored upon season.
He was principal of Franklin, Forest Glen and Brookside Elementary Schools. His professional dedication and leadership led to a tenure as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and later Superintendent of Schools capping his 34-year career as an educator.
Mr. Bongiorno was an adjunct instructor at Rutgers University and Kean College and served on many county, state and national committees sharing his expertise in the area of child guidance, curriculum and middle school development.
His dedication to youth extended to years volunteering and working for the Greater Newark YMCA, Newark Inner City Summer Recreation Program, PAL and Pop Warner Football. Mr. Bongiorno was the founder of the Newark YMCA’s Linwood Family Camp in Sussex County New Jersey.
A devoted husband and father, Joseph is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Dorothy (nee Lessa), his four children Joseph Jr, Thomas, and his wife Susan, Janet Higgins and her husband Chip, Nancy Chamberlain and her husband Scott as well as his seven granddaughters, Lori, Bethany Conolly and her husband Walker , Cristina, Alicia, Emily, Sarah and Kathryn. Also surviving are his brother Dominick, and sister Marie Scalera, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887.
On Wednesday, May 9, 2012, family and friends may gather to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges for an 11:00a.m. funeral liturgy. Mausoleum entombment will follow in St. Magdalen Cemetery Mausoleum located in Flemington.
Memorial donations in Joseph A. Bongiorno’s name may be made to Hunterdon Hospice, c/o Hunterdon Medical Center, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.
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