The following is the obituary for my grandfather. Please take a minute to view this video of his life. It is amazing to see how much he experienced in his life.
Last weekend I was able to fly down to Austin, Texas and participate in the Lance Armstrong Foundations "Ride for th Roses" weekend. I walked the 5k in his honor (see above picture.) It means a great deal to me that I was able to go there and honor him and make it back to be with him when he passed. He was the greatest man I ever knew and I will make sure to continue to pass along his values to my children and ensure they know how great their great-grandfather really was.
I will miss you grandpa!
*************OBITUARY***************
JOSEPH HAROLD WALLACE JR., 85, of Bayviille, BERKELEY, beloved husband of Beverly Wallace, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Community Medical Center, Toms River, following a brief illness, with his family by his side.
Joseph was born Nov. 1, 1921 in Newark, where he resided until moving to Bayville in 1974. After graduating from South Side High School, he worked for Fidelity Union Trust Company until joining the U.S. Coast Guard in May 1942. His service included assignments aboard ships in the Asiatic Pacific area, as well as the European, African and Middle Eastern area. He was released from active duty after three years and eight months of honorable service as a sonarman first class.
Following his service during World War II, Joseph rejoined Fidelity Union Trust Company as a bookkeeping machine operator before becoming a member of the Newark Fire Department, where he served for 35 years in various positions. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1851, Newark, where he was post commander in 1956. Upon moving to Bayville, he transferred to V.F.W. Post 9503. He was also a member of the Retired Police and Firemen's Association. His passion for gardening earned him the respect of his fellow V.F.W. members in Bayville, where they named their picnic grove in his honor, Joe Wallace Grove.
His true love and passion was his family. He enjoyed being with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with his sisters and brothers-in-law more than anything else. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a true example of the Greatest Generation, a very humble, caring and hard working individual.
Joseph was predeceased by his first wife, Miriam, in 1980; his sister, Arlene, in 1986; and a grandson, Daniel Sean Wallace, in 1989. In addition, Joseph will be deeply missed by his wife, Beverly and family; a son, Robert E. and his wife Katherine of Virginia; two daughters, Lynn Wallace of Bayville, and Colleen and her husband Tom Blonder of Beachwood; four grandchildren, Cheryl Wallace, Kelly Fitzpatrick and her husband Alex, Brian Dowd and his wife Kristy, and Meghan Blonder; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Ruth Wallace, and Jean Greenwood and her husband Bill, both of Eatontown; and his brother-in-law, John Kelly of Point Pleasant.
Born: November 1, 1921
Died: October 16, 2007
