Obituary for Joseph N Viola
Joseph Nick Viola, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 30, 2022.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Joe lived with his family in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Maspeth, Queens before relocating to Homestead at Mansfield in 2005.
Joe was very patriotic and was anxious to serve his country. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines and completed his training at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. During his service, Joe participated in the Battle of the Atlantic and survived two attacks by German U-boats in which the ships he served on were sunk by torpedos.
Soon after returning from his service in WWII, Joe was drafted by the United States Army and served his country again during the Korean War. As a corporal in the Infantry, Joe was involved in combat near the 38th parallel. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart as well both the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his valiant service during combat.
After the war, Joe began his career as a Bank Guard for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. After thwarting an attempted armed robbery, Joe was promoted to Protection Officer and charged with the responsibility of serving as a bodyguard for Federal Reserve Bank Chairmen Arthur Burns, G. William Miller, Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan as well as former Secretary of the Treasury Katherine D. Ortega. Joe was also honored to be appointed to a Special Detail responsible for the protection of former President Ronald Reagan upon his visits to the Bank.
Joe was a proud parishioner of Holy Assumption Church in Roebling, where he enjoyed serving as an Usher. But his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. Joe was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and brother. He will be missed by his family, friends and others whose lives he touched with his warm smile, friendly demeanor and extensive vocabulary of “Joe-isms”.
Son of the late Thomas and Grace Viola, he is predeceased by his only brother, Anthony Viola. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Gussie Viola, his children, Salvatore and Thomas Viola, Salvatore’s domestic partner Selva Mirles, his grandchildren, Salvatore Joseph Viola, Thomas Anthony Viola and Gina Marie Viola, his sister-in-law, Angela Viola, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:30 am at Holy Assumption Church, 1290 Hornberger Ave, Roebling, NJ.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 5:00 ~ 7:00 pm with a wake service at 6:30pm and again on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 9:00- 9:45 am at the Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ.
Burial will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.
Arrangements are under the direct care and supervision of Robert L. Pecht, Bordentown Home for Funerals 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ 08505.
Please visit Joseph’s Book of Memories page at www.Bordentownhomeforfunerals.com to upload a written memory or tribute to Joe as well as any pictures, to offer condolences to the family and to obtain directions and arrangement information.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Joe lived with his family in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Maspeth, Queens before relocating to Homestead at Mansfield in 2005.
Joe was very patriotic and was anxious to serve his country. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines and completed his training at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. During his service, Joe participated in the Battle of the Atlantic and survived two attacks by German U-boats in which the ships he served on were sunk by torpedos.
Soon after returning from his service in WWII, Joe was drafted by the United States Army and served his country again during the Korean War. As a corporal in the Infantry, Joe was involved in combat near the 38th parallel. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart as well both the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his valiant service during combat.
After the war, Joe began his career as a Bank Guard for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. After thwarting an attempted armed robbery, Joe was promoted to Protection Officer and charged with the responsibility of serving as a bodyguard for Federal Reserve Bank Chairmen Arthur Burns, G. William Miller, Paul Volcker and Alan Greenspan as well as former Secretary of the Treasury Katherine D. Ortega. Joe was also honored to be appointed to a Special Detail responsible for the protection of former President Ronald Reagan upon his visits to the Bank.
Joe was a proud parishioner of Holy Assumption Church in Roebling, where he enjoyed serving as an Usher. But his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. Joe was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and brother. He will be missed by his family, friends and others whose lives he touched with his warm smile, friendly demeanor and extensive vocabulary of “Joe-isms”.
Son of the late Thomas and Grace Viola, he is predeceased by his only brother, Anthony Viola. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Gussie Viola, his children, Salvatore and Thomas Viola, Salvatore’s domestic partner Selva Mirles, his grandchildren, Salvatore Joseph Viola, Thomas Anthony Viola and Gina Marie Viola, his sister-in-law, Angela Viola, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:30 am at Holy Assumption Church, 1290 Hornberger Ave, Roebling, NJ.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 5:00 ~ 7:00 pm with a wake service at 6:30pm and again on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 9:00- 9:45 am at the Bordentown Home for Funerals, 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ.
Burial will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.
Arrangements are under the direct care and supervision of Robert L. Pecht, Bordentown Home for Funerals 40 Crosswicks St. Bordentown, NJ 08505.
Please visit Joseph’s Book of Memories page at www.Bordentownhomeforfunerals.com to upload a written memory or tribute to Joe as well as any pictures, to offer condolences to the family and to obtain directions and arrangement information.