Joseph Rimmer Obituary

Joseph Melvin “Mel” Rimmer passed away on March 19, 2025, at the age of 93. Mel was a caring and gentle man who was a constant guiding support to his family. He was born in the Bronx, NY to Sylvia, a homemaker originally from Hungary and Alex, an upholsterer originally from Poland. Mel spoke fondly of childhood memories with his brother Albert, (predeceased in death) selling Giants pins at the Polo Grounds, forming a band and playing the trumpet, eating deli out, and bringing a lunch packed by his mother to the movies in what was then an all-day event. After Mel graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, his family decided to “move to Jersey” and became chicken farmers in North Brunswick. Mel served as a sergeant in the Korean war where he was a medical laboratory technician. When he returned, he met his beloved Ethel (predeceased in death) on a blind date. They married a year later, settled in New Brunswick and gave birth to Debra one year following. The family moved to Old Bridge and then to Highland Park where they raised Debra and her sister, Lisa.

Mel pursued his Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Rutgers University and eventually earned a PhD in Counselling. As a proud part of Rutgers’ first class of Masters level Social Workers, he worked for NJ. Board of Child Welfare where he was a supervisor, then for the Sayreville school district and finally for the Edison School district where he worked for the remainder of his professional career. Mel instilled in his family the importance of noticing, listening to, and supporting people who might be less fortunate and also a love of nature.

Mel and Ethel were members of what was then the Highland Park Conservative Temple and the family has fond memories of making the long walk from Donaldson Park apartments to the synagogue on Friday evenings for services. After moving to South 5th Avenue, Mel and Ethel spent many years enjoying their life together and finally living in a house. Mel was an avid jogger/runner before it became popular and was often seen running in Donaldson Park. He also had a green thumb and enjoyed growing vegetables, orchids, roses, and nursing plants back to health. He was also an avid baseball card collector and devoted Mets fan. Mel moved to Somerset to join Ethel following a stroke. He spent his last years enjoying his life as a calm, easygoing and gentle man. Further, Mel enjoyed spending time outdoors in nature, watching birds and the deer outside his window. Mel is survived by his daughters Debra Rimmer and her husband Randy Fisher, Lisa Roe and her husband Mike, his granddaughters Maddie MacIsaac and Katie Roe, his “grandson” Connor MacIsaac, and his “granddog” Maggie.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Humane Society or Natural Resources Defense Council.