A funeral service took place Aug. 30 for Joseph “Joe” N. DePalma, 81. He passed away Aug. 22 – after a valiant and lengthy battle with cancer – at the home of his daughter in Maple City, Mich., in the presence of his family. Born in Margret Hague Maternity Hospital to Michael and Maria/ Mary (Liano) De Palma, he attended A.J. Demarest High School, class of 1951. Joe enjoyed a brief experience as a merchant seaman where he developed a love and appreciation for the Great Lakes; following that he served in the United States Army until 1955. In 1963 he married Nancy Liquori. Joe retired in 1991, after 28 years as a Teamster (Local 560) truck driver. Joe was “born and raised” in Hoboken. He also raised his family in Hoboken, and lived there all of his life.
During the ongoing development of the city Joe sought out opportunities to serve his hometown. He was a founding member of the First Ward Block Association, served on the Hoboken Zoning Board, and numerous political committees. Hoboken’s waterfront was a focus of particular interest; he was dedicated to ensuring that the waterfront was developed to provide access to the public that would be preserved for the use by future generations. Whenever walking the waterfront with relatives and friends, Joe was proud to show what he considered to be the success of his efforts. Joe will be especially remembered for his commitment to his family and his hometown. Always ready to share a story, or make a new friend, Joe will also be remembered by many for his enjoyment of lively conversations and discussions.
Surviving Joe are his wife Nancy; son Joseph DePalma Jr.; daughters Camille DePalma-Frixen, and Michele Cruz; sons-in-law Bernard Colasurdo, Reagan Frixen, and Noel Cruz; sister-in-law Loretta Capraro; grandchildren Joseph Ruggierio, Louis and Gianna Silva, Nick, Melissa, Olivia and Gabriella Frixen, Isabella and Sophia Cruz; several great grandchildren; nieces Loretta Ranieri, Maria (Bobby) Guggliuzza, and Rita Liano; several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews; as well as many other family members and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, daughter Maria/MaryDePalma,brother John Louis DePalma, sister Suzanna Ranieri, brother-in-law Eddie Ranieri, and nephew John Joseph DePalma. Services arranged by the Failla Memorial Home, Hoboken.