Obituary of Joseph B. DeAndrea, Sr.
Joseph Bernard DeAndrea, Sr., 99, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025 at his home in Naples, FL with loving family at his bedside. Born in Plainfield to the late Anthony and Mary (Ciancia) DeAndrea, Joe was raised and lived in South Plainfield for a majority of his life. He lived in Far Hills from the late 1970’s until the early 1990’s and spent his summers in Nantucket, MA. Joe moved to Moosic, PA and eventually settled to Naples, FL full time after years of spending the winters there.
An honorably discharged WWII Veteran, Joe was a radio operator for the Merchant Marines and during the Korean War; he was a Corporal in the United States Army. The proud owner of DeAndrea Associates, Inc. where he was a Real Estate Agent, he also was an owner and developer with New Era, Inc.
Joe was an active member of the Rotary Club for many years as well as the Father’s Club of South Plainfield. He enjoyed playing and teaching Bocce Ball with the group at Vineyards Country Club in Naples. He was a frequent visitor of the Dogtooth Sports and Music Bar on Moday’s for Jazz Night and became very good friends with many of the patrons.
Joe enjoyed spending time in the kitchen cooking, especially Italian Dishes. He played the trumpet, loved listening to Jazz Music and was an amazing dancer. People would marvel at how he and Rose could cut the rug. Above all things, family was the most important to him, especially his grandchildren. Joe hosted numerous family gatherings and one of his most memorable was the DeAndrea Family Reunion’s at his home in Far Hills. While living in Nantucket or at the Jersey Shore, Joe enjoyed fishing. He could often be found on his Boston Whaler catching Blue fish, digging for clams out in the Tuckernuck or surf fishing. Traveling was a family favorite; whether it be in his RV taking cross country trips, or going across the world and taking two trips to Europe, England and Italy once, and even continues going back to Italy many times over the years.
A licensed experienced pilot, Joe would take his own plane between NJ and Nantucket, always arriving safe. A lover of life, Joe did not quit until his 99th year – even telling jokes and making others laugh with his stories and funny sayings.
Predeceased by his wife Rose Marie DeAndrea, son Joseph, II, and son-in-law James O’Riordan, Joe leaves behind his children; G. DeAndrea (Susan) of Las Vegas, NV, Wendy Katz (Jack) of Henderson, NV, Pamela DeAndrea of Calais, VT and daughter-in-law Margaret DeAndrea of Chesapeake, VA. He will be missed by his grandchildren; Joseph, III (Lenore) of Chesapeake, VA, Peter DeAndrea(Genevieve) of Hoboken, Jeannine DeAndrea (Connor Yeck) of Owosso, MI, Galya Gilam (Dror) of Israel, Sarah Flotte (Tim) of Windcrest, TX, Rachel Katz (Jess Marquez) of N. Holywood, CA, Skyler O’Riordan of Burlington, VT and Sinta O’Riordan of Calais, VT as well as his great-grandchildren; Neomi, Lavi and Shira Gilam of Israel, Joseph IV and Luca DeAndrea of Chesapeak, VA, Clara DeAndrea of Hoboken and Micah Flotte of Windcrest, TX.
Visitation will be held at McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 5pm – 8pm. On Friday, May 9, 2025, family and friends are invited to gather directly to Sacred Heart Church, 149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield for a 10:00am funeral mass. Mausoleum entombment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, also in South Plainfield. In lieu of flowers, pleased consider making a donation in Joe’s name to the Cody Barrasse Memorial Foundation (www.CodyBarrasseFoundation.com) or to The NativityMiguel School of Scranton (www.NMScranton.org.)