Obituary of Joseph Natale

JOSEPH NATALE Joseph "Joe Nat" Andrew Natale, 94, of Madison, NJ passed away on Tuesday February 23, 2016 in Wilmington, NC. Joe was born to Frank Natale and Vita Venezia on September 2, 1921 in Morristown, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 65 years Loretta, the love of his life. Sisters Christina DeLena, Rose D'Auria, and Palmer Errico, and brothers Paul and Frank Natale. After graduating from Morristown High School, he enlisted in the Navy on May 5, 1942, and served until October 2, 1945 earning an honorable discharge as a machinist's mate 1st class. While serving in the Pacific, and as a result of his ship the U.S.S. Savannah being struck by a German radio controlled Fritz X glide bomb, he was honored with a Purple Heart. He also served on the U.S.S Hyman, at one point off the coast of Iwo Jima. He started his work career as a union carpenter, and then started his own carpentry business in 1970, working into his mid-seventies. He was a child during the Great Depression, and was proud to be part of America's Greatest Generation. He was a simple man. He rose early, read the papers, went to work, came home every night to protect and provide for his family. C.J.'s Deli twice a day, discussing sports and politics with anyone that would listen. Friday night card game at the Forum Club, Saint Vincent's Martyr Church every Saturday at 5 PM. He never missed an event that included his sons or grandchildren. He was a coach in the Madison Little League and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1993. He was an advocate for all veterans. He volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Basking Ridge, NJ and the Salvation Army. He was most proud of the house he and his father built for his family at 2 Knollwood Avenue in Madison. He was honored as Madison's Grand Marshall for the 2004 Memorial Day Celebration. He is survived by his sisters Ann Ciampa of South Plainfield, NJ, and Nancy Caruso of Hanover, NJ, sons Paul Michael Natale and his wife Drema Natale of Indian Shores, FL, Steven Anthony Natale of Wilmington, NC, and Christopher Joseph Natale and his wife Kathleen Natale, residing in Wilmington, NC. His grandchildren, Paul Michael Natale and his wife Emily residing in Indian Head Park, IL, Natalie Hinkle and her husband Steven residing in Atlanta, GA, Julie Elizabeth Millet and her husband Jared residing in Wilmington, NC, Kimberly Natale residing in Virginia, Steven Natale Jr. residing in Texas, Christopher Joseph Natale Jr. residing in Wilmington, NC; and five great-grandchildren, Paul Michael and Oliva Natale, Walker and Cecilia Hinkle, and Jack Michael Millet. Memorial service to be held at Madison Memorial Home 159 Main Street Madison, NJ on April 1, 2016 at 4:30. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org.