Obituary of Howard Joy, Jr.

Howard Joy, Jr., 62, of Dover, NJ passed away, Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at St. Clares Hospital in Denville, NJ.

Howard, affectionately known as “Fish” to those that knew him well, for his love for fishing, was born October 9, 1956, in Camden, SC. He was the second child born to Howard Joy, Sr. and Cornelia Keys Joy.

At an early age, Howard moved with his family to Morristown, NJ, where he spent his formative years attending Morristown schools and graduated from Morristown High School in 1974. In the same year, Howard and his family moved to Dover, where he was a lifelong resident. 

Howard enlisted in the United States Army, where he served during peacetime as an Ammunitions Specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, obtaining the rank Specialist 4, before being honorably discharged in 1979.

After his separation from the Army, he returned to New Jersey and was employed by the Roxbury Township Board of Education, where he worked as a custodian until his retirement in 2007 after 25 years. 

Howard was a valued member and officer of the American Legion William Hedges Baker Post 27 of Dover, where he served in various leadership positions and most recently served on The Board of Trustees. His passions included fishing and sports. He was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Howard is survived by his daughter: Sheena Joy of Dover, his parents: Howard Sr. and Cornelia Joy of Camden, SC, his three siblings: Karen Joy-Wilson and her husband Isaac of Piscataway, NJ, Michael of Kansas City, MO and Gregory and his wife Dana of Trinity, FL, his mother-in-law: Ida Freeman of Dover and his sister-in-law: Zelma “Ann” Smith of Dover, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dedicated friends. He was predeceased by his wife: Nancina, in 2016 and his sister: Audrey, in 2019.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 NJ-10, Randolph, NJ 07869. The Funeral will Service will follow at 12:30 PM also at the Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Morristown.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to either: The American Thoracic Society, https://thoracic.secure.force.com/ContributeOnline or American Legion Post 27, PO Box 588, Dover, NJ 07801. Make checks payable to “American Legion Post 27.”