Obituary of Joseph "Guiseppe" Polifronio

Joseph "Guiseppe" Polifronio, 93, of Hackensack, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the NJ Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus. Joe was born to Carmelo and Angelina Polifronio on March 30, 1930, the fourth of their six children. As a young man, Joe played semi-pro baseball as a member of the Hackensack Troast Athletic Club. He remained an avid sports fan, rooting for the Yankees and Giants and enjoying the Golf Channel. Drafted into the United States Marine Corps at the age of twenty-one, he was a proud veteran of the Korean War. As part of a machine gun squad, he fulfilled the role of machine gunner when it became his turn. He courageously served in that position for two months, which was considered a long time, before being wounded in action. As a result of his serious injuries, he was awarded The Purple Heart, promoted to Lance Corporal and retired from the Marine Corps. Through the G.I. Bill, Joe learned the engraving trade and worked as an engraver for two companies before opening his own business, J&J Engraving Co, in 1982. His son Joseph Jr. later joined him, and they worked together until he retired at the age of ninety. The shop became a community gathering place for family and friends to visit, eat and chat while the work went on. Throughout his life, he was a member of many organizations including the South Hackensack VFW Post #8005, Disabled American Veterans, Hackensack American Legion, the Hackensack Chapter of UNICO National and the Hackensack Knights of Columbus. He was a proud usher for St. Francis Church where he was a Socialites member and past President of the Holy Trinity Church Holy Name Society. He also coached Little League Baseball for the City of Hackensack and played softball for the Knights of Columbus. Devoted father of Carmen and his wife Ruth, Laurie Ann Bado and her husband Thomas, Joseph Jr., and MaryAnn Weston and her husband Frank. Cherished grandfather of the late Daniel Polifronio, Ashley Wisneski and her husband Adam, Stephanie Ann Weston and her fiancé Chad Larkin, and Lizzie Weston. Loving great grandfather of Adam Jr. and Skylar Wisneski. Survived by his beloved sister May D'Arminio and predeceased by his former wife Viola (nee Romaglia), second wife Ina (nee Affsa), siblings Catherine Zoccoli and her husband Jimmy, and Margaret "Mickey" Squillace and her husband Carmen, Paul and his wife Ann, Dominick and his wife Judy, and brother-in-law Michael "Mickey" D' Arminio. Joe also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. The Funeral will begin on Friday, August 25, at 9:45 AM from the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, 11:00 AM at St. Francis R.C. Church, 50 Lodi Street, Hackensack, Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hackensack. The family will receive friends on Thursday, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM for visitation at the funeral home. Donation's may be made in Joseph's memory to: The N. J. Veterans Memorial Home, 1 Veterans Way in Paramus, NJ 07652, designated for the Residents Welfare Fund. To send condolences, get directions, or for further information visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com