Obituary of Joseph F Zubko

Joseph F. Zubko, Sr., 86, passed away on April 20, 2015 at Morristown Medical Center. A graduate of Kearny High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts, both in education, from Seton Hall University. He did doctoral studies at New York University in educational psychology and remediation. Joe served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950-52, and was deployed to Korea as a troop infor-mation and education specialist in 1952. An English teacher in Kearny from 1953-60, Joe returned to his alma mater (1960-68) as an assistant professor of education, where he also served as director of the Educational Services Center, which provided diagnostic and remedial services to public and parochial school chil¬dren. Joe introduced the initial reading and study skills program for Seton Hall freshmen and developed the Master of Arts program to train teachers as reading specialists. Joe played varsity soccer at Kearny High School in 1943-44; the team was undefeated in its 1944 season. He also took to the field as a varsity soccer player at the University (1946-48) and played on the 1948 undefeated team. His commitment to soccer and athletics continued in 1953-59, when he served as a supervisor at the Kearny Recreation Commission. Also an accomplished golfer, Joe is a two-time Flight Champion and President's Cup winner at Copper Hill Country Club. From 1968, until his retirement in 1993, Joe was a professor of humanities at Essex County College (ECC). He served as the college's director of the humanities division and chairman of the Department of Communication and Developmental Skills. He also organized and developed a reading and study skills program at ECC and was honored with the Outstanding Professor in the Humanities Division award, also from ECC, where he was promoted to full professor under the College's "Exceptional Clause." Joe is survived by his wife Jerilyn and his children, Patricia Sigala and her husband John, Joseph Zubko II and wife Jayne._ Joe is also survived by his grandchildren Khara, JosephIII, Krista, Jessica and Alex and great grandchild Tucker. Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday April 27, 2015 at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 South Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. The funeral service will be private. For further information please contact Gallaway and Crane at 908-766-0250, or to light an online condolence candle please visit our website at www.gcfuneralhome.com