Joseph J McCloskey Obituary
Joseph, also “Papa” or “Uncle Joe” to so many who knew him, was born on 25 April 1939 in Irvington, NJ to Mary Eva Gaulthier McCloskey and Joseph J. McCloskey, a veteran Navy Chief Bosun’s Mate who had served in both World War I and World War II. He was raised in Irvington, attending the local high school, but left early to follow in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the United States Navy in October 1956. He earned his GED while in the Navy, serving on the USS Vandivier DER-540, a Butler-class destroyer escort guarding the US East Coast during the height of the Cold War.
After leaving the service in 1960, he worked as an ironworker in New York City, before joining his brother Don and his father Joseph in the restaurant business, operating the Parker House in Sea Girt, NJ for several years. He first married in 1966 and had one son Kenneth, who sadly passed away in December 1992. After leaving the restaurant business in 1974, he rediscovered his love of the sea, and began operating luxury yachts along the Eastern US coast, sailing between Florida, the Caribbean and the New Jersey coast. He developed into a locally recognized expert on deep sea sportfishing, routinely going for sailfish, dolphin and tuna on the high seas. In the 80’s he participated in an invitation-only sportfishing event off the coast of Cuba, a special honor that only the best fishermen of the area could join.
It was in this world of sailing, in 1978 that “Papa” married Gail, who would bring her two beautiful grandchildren into his life; Kathleen and Stephen. Gail and Joe moved to North Palm Beach, Florida and adopted them as their own, completing their family. At this time, Joe left the sailing world and with Gail got into real estate, renting out several properties along the Florida coast. Gail sadly passed away from cancer in 2013, survived by Joseph, their immediate family, and Gail’s prior elder children Karen, Kris and John, who lived independently from Gail and Joe.
He met Joan in 2014, who was always at his side, bringing new life, light and love into his life; they shared many fun and wonderful moments, at their homes in North Palm Beach, with friends and family on the holidays, and enjoying their getaways to the Florida Keys.
Joe was known for his love of the sea, the easy lifestyle of the Florida Keys where he spent time at his beloved oceanfront getaway home, the occasional gin martini, but most of all for the love and devotion he showed for those around him, especially Joan, Kathleen, Stephen, Carissa and Charley. He was always smiling, and always looking to brighten up the mood of those around him. He will be dearly missed by all.
Joseph is predeceased by his first wife Gail Wohlin, his first son Kenneth, and his second wife Gail Ronnie. He is survived by his dear friend Joan, his two children Kathleen and Stephen, and his grandchildren Ashley, Heather, Carissa and Charley.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 9th, 2022 at 1 pm at First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joseph’s name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation.
