Obituary of Joseph H Pocoroba

Brick – Sadly, Joseph H. “Bob” Pocoroba passed away on August 16. He was born August 12, 1919 in Newark, NJ where he attended Our Lady of Good Counsel grammar and high schools. In 1940 Bob enlisted in the Essex Troop 117th Cavalry and was part of their Mechanized Reconnaissance Squadron during WWII. He saw action in North Africa, Italy, and France where he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement on New Year’s Eve 1944. He was honorably discharged after 5 years of service. In November of 2014, the French government awarded Bob the insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French government, an honor that is equivalent to knighthood. Also in 2014, the mayor of Brick declared December 11 to be Bob Pocoroba Day.

After the war, Bob worked first as a commercial realtor, and then opened his own residential realty in Clifton. Ultimately he spent the majority of his career with Bamberger & Co. in Paramus. Bob married Doris Smith of Nutley in 1947. They raised their family, two daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, in Pompton Plains. Bob was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner at both St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes and Church of Epiphany in Brick. Bob was a community volunteer at Greenbriar II. He was a news anchor on the community’s CCTV and also delivered healthcare/medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, to homebound residents. He enjoyed performing in the community theater group, The Greenbriar Follies.

Bob was a devoted son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and a noble friend. Above all, he was a good man – trustworthy, charitable, compassionate and honest to a fault. His passion was his family. He never missed the opportunity to tell whoever was in earshot about something his children, grandchildren or great grandchildren had recently achieved. He was predeceased by his parents Hector and Amalia Pocoroba, his sister, Rose P Danna, his wife Doris and his daughter Elizabeth Barbato. Bob is survived by his daughter, Jane Patterson, and his seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, August 20, 2018 from 10:00 – 11:00am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 111 Claremont Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. Funeral Mass will follow at 11am at the church. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes you to make a donation to a Veterans’ charity of your choice. For further information, or to light an online condolence candle please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com