Joseph Stephen Masar

Joseph Stephen Masar, 91, died Thursday May 8, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was a longtime resident of Ogdensburg, N.J., having recently resided at The House of Good Shepherd, Hackettstown, New Jersey. Born in Franklin, New Jersey, Joseph was the son of Stefan and Mary Masar, who were originally from Czechoslovakia.

Joe aka “Muzzie” played football in high school and later for the semi-pro Franklin Miners. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1942. In his later years, he loved baseball, the N.Y. Yankees and football, the NY Giants.

Joe served his country proudly in WWII as a Sergeant, airman tail section machine gunner, in the mighty US Army Eighth Air Corp -384th Bomb Group in England. On April 25, 1945 his squadron was 1 of 3 that fired the “last shot” of the European war for the Eighth’s great fleet of silver bombers and the Flying Fortress unit. In 2013 he was presented with the NJ Distinguished Service Medal for serving in combat while on active duty during wartime.

For 34 years Joseph was an ordinance engineer at Picatinny Arsenal; traveling extensively in the U.S., Canada, Panama Canal Zone and the Arctic. Retired in 1979, he pursued his interest in government, politics and public service. In 1964, he compiled and wrote a booklet called, Historical Journal of the History of Ogdensburg. Joseph held office in the Sussex County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, serving as president for several years and in 1984 receiving the honor of Volunteer of the Year. He was a founding member of the Ogdensburg First Aid Squad, member of the Borough of Ogdensburg town council, member of VFW Post 10152-Ogdensburg, and a member of the Ogdensburg Volunteer Fire Department and Exempt Association. He served as a legislative aide to Congresswoman Marge Roukema who selected him to serve on the Military Academy Selection Committee. He also aided numerous public officials in their quest for office including Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, Assemblyman Garabed “Chuck” Haytaian, Senator Robert E. Littell and Assemblywoman Alison McHose. He was sergeant-at-arms for the N.J. State Assembly from 1988-89. He served as commissioner and president on the Sussex County Board of Taxation. He was selected to serve on the Juvenile Conference Committee for Sussex County and was named volunteer of the year in 1992. He was a member of the Hardyston Senior Citizens Club. Joe was a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol and a parishioner of St. Thomas of Aquin RC Church, Ogdensburg, and Immaculate Conception Church, Franklin.

Joseph was preceded in death in 2001 by his beloved wife of 59 years, Virginia Rose Norman, his high school sweetheart. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Anna Masar Gambino, of New York City, husband Michael, sons Vincent and Stephen.

Surviving Joe are four daughters; Jacqueline Schlenger, her husband, Donald, of Cary, North Carolina; Jo Anne Masar and Gary Mahana, of Toms River, Nancy Sands, her husband, Bill, of Ogdensburg, and Virgina Ramberger, her husband Hank, of Andover. Dear Grandfather of seven, Nicole Walker, of Cary, NC, Jessica Nelson, her husband Lance of Cary, NC,; Bryant Avondoglio of Washington, DC, Marley Avondoglio of Andover; Derek Mons, (his best buddy) his wife, Samantha, of Ogdensburg; Troy Sands, his wife Vanessa of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; and Heather Ramberger of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

A loving Great Grandfather to four, Jake and Emma Walker, Luke and Ben Nelson, of Cary, N.C.

Joseph Masar was a dedicated member of his community, county, church, and country. Above all Joe shined the most in his immeasurable love and dedication to his proud family. He leaves an inspiring legacy to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Friends and family are invited Wednesday, 4-8 pm to Goble Funeral Home 22 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871. The VFW service will be held Wednesday at 7:30 pm. A 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church-75 Church Street Franklin, NJ 07416 followed by interment in St Thomas of Aquin Cemetery, Ogdensburg, N.J.

Memorial donations may be made to the New Jersey State Organization of Cystic Fibrosis, Box 3648, Wayne, New Jersey 07474.

Online condolences may be offered at www.goblefuneralhome.com.