Joseph DaCosta Obituary

Joseph DaCosta Jr. age 88 died Monday June 2, 2025, at his home in Tinton Falls, NJ. Born in Mount Kisco, NY on June 27, 1936, Joseph grew up in a Portuguese American household. Joseph attended East Side High School in Newark New Jersey, through his sophomore year. Upon his father's retirement the family decided to relocate to Portugal. Joseph and his family lived there for approximately 3 years and at age 19, Joseph and his younger brother Anterio returned to America to begin their adult lives in the country they were born. Shortly after arriving, Joseph met Maria Guerra and the two got married on April 20, 1958.
Joseph and Maria purchased their first home in Hillside New Jersey where they lived with their son Edward. In 1982 Joseph and Maria relocated to East Hanover, NJ where they resided for 38 years. He was a parishioner of St Rose of Lima RC Church and a member of the East Hanover Council #6504 Knights of Columbus.
Joseph was a foreman for NJ Transit in Newark, NJ for 36 years prior to his retirement in 1998. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Delbarton Baseball and Villanova Basketball. Education was very important to Joseph, and he took great pride in seeing his son graduate Villanova University, and was extremely proud to see his grandchildren also graduate from Villanova years later.
Joseph lived his life centered around basic values of hard work, helping others and being supportive of his family. Joseph has left his family with a strong legacy and fortunately he was able to meet his first great grandchild William Henry DaCosta days before passing.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Maria (Guerra), by a son Edward and wife Elaine of Marco Island, Florida, by two grandchildren, EJ DaCosta and wife Elizebeth (Bohny) DaCosta of Red Bank and Emily DaCosta of Normandy Beach and by a great grandson William Henry DaCosta. Joseph is predeceased by a brother, Anterio DaCosta and by a granddaughter, Kathleen DaCosta.
Funeral services will begin 10:30AM Friday at Hancliffe Home for Funerals, 222 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936 with an 11:15AM Mass at St. Rose of Lima RC Church. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visiting hours are Thursday 4-8PM with K of C Services at 6PM.
Memorial donations to the The Parkinson's Foundation or the American Diabetes Association will be appreciated in lieu of flowers.