Obituary of Joseph A. Pecon

Joseph A. Pecon, Jr. died peacefully April 21, 2010. He was 87. A longtime resident of Bernardsville, Joseph was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts April 23, 1923. He and his family subsequently moved to New Jersey. Upon graduation from high school in 1941, he went to Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York City and entered a work/school program to become an instrument maker. He served in the Navy during WWII and was selected for a year of schooling at Navy Pier in Chicago to become proficient in the maintenance of shipboard radio, radar and sonar equipment. While there, he met his future wife, Muriel. After his discharge from military service, Joe returned to Bell Labs and began work on navy contracts dedicated to developing undersea systems for submarine detection and intelligence during the cold war. During those years, Joseph also attended Newark College of Engineering and earned his BS degree in Electrical Engineering. He advanced in position at the Labs to Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, and received commendations from the Navy for his years of service on the Underseas Surveillance Mission. Almost his entire 47-year career at Bell Labs was spent working on Navy contracts. Joseph was a charter member of the Somerset Hills Lutheran Church and had a long history of active membership. He served on the building committee and oversaw the construction of the church. He also served as President of the congregation, Financial Secretary and as Member and Chair of the Board of Elders for many years. Joseph was also very active in community affairs and served several terms as president of his homeowners association. Joseph is survived by Muriel, his wife of 63 years, his 3 daughters Sally Pecon of Bedminster, Linda Blakely and her husband Douglas of Pennsauken, and Jill Pecon Slattery of Sharpsburg, Maryland and two grandchildren, Stuart Slattery and his wife Sandra and Rochelle Blakely. A memorial service is planned for 3pm on Sunday, April 25, at Somerset Hills Lutheran Church in Basking Ridge. Flowers will not be accepted, No flowers will be accepted, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joseph's name to the Somerset Hills Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.