Joseph J Passaro, 79, of Nazareth PA, passed away peacefully at Lehigh Valley Muhlenberg Hospital on Friday, December 6, 2024.  Born and raised in Hackensack, NJ he was the son of the late Dominick and Lena (Scola) Passaro. He graduated From Hackensack High School in 1963.  In 1965 Joe began service in the US Army serving in the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged in 1971.

Upon returning from service, he resided in Wyckoff, NJ and worked for several companies throughout his career including the Bergen Record, DeMar Printing, Ideal Towel Supply/WH Linen, and finally retiring from the Bergen Community Blood Center. 

In retirement Joe relocated to Nazareth, Pennsylvania where he served as a crossing guard for Nazareth Borough and enjoyed interacting with the children attending Holy Family School.  He also served as an usher for Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church where he was a faithful parishioner.  He enjoyed spending time with his neighbors, chatting on the porch in the evening and was always available to lend a hand when needed. 

In addition to his parents Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Anthony and sister in-law, Lee and his grandson, Stephen.

Joe is survived by his brother Dominick and sister in-law Joan along with his three sons Joseph and his wife Kate of Nazareth PA, Nicholas and his wife Natalie of Greenwood Lake NY, and Paul of Pompton Plains, NJ. along with seven grandchildren, Anthony and his wife Ana, Hayley, Anna Maria and her partner Robert, Christian, Marc, Rocco, and Violet; and two great grandchildren Luca and Halston. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed his hobby of baking, making home made birthday cakes and random batches of cookies for them. 

Family and Friends are invited to attend visitation on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Vander Plaat Funeral Home (vpfh.com) 257 Godwin Ave Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, December 13, 2024 at St. Elizabeth’s RC Church 700 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff, NJ, 07481.  Internment in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Hackensack, NJ will take place at the convenience of the family at a later date.