Obituary of Joseph A. Medina

Mr. Joseph A. Medina, 87, died on Sunday, February 26, 2006 at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center, 6 days after his beloved wife of 58 years, Mathilda M. Medina had passed away at the Greenbrook Manor Nursing & Convalescent Center in Green Brook. He was born on November 8, 1918 in New York City and lived there until moving to Somerville at the age of 9 and then later to North Plainfield and in 2005 moved to the Green Brook Manor Nursing home with his wife Mathilda. He graduated from Somerville High School in the top 10% of his class in 1940. He was a highly honored Veteran of W.W.II. During his flying career he was awarded the Air Medal 4 times, and 3 Oak Leaf medals and 2 Silver Cluster medals. He was an Electronics Engineer originally for Stavid Engineering and then Lockheed Electronics, retiring August 29, 1980 after 30 years of service. During that time he developed many highly classified top-secret patented projects for the United States Government. He later became an ordained Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a chartered member of the New Jersey Live Steamers Association in Bedminster. He enjoyed photography, steam engines, electronics and church activities. Surviving are a son, Clifford J. Medina and his wife Ann Marie of North Plainfield; two grandchildren, Michael and Christopher. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m. in the Higgins Home for Funerals, 461 Somerset Street, North Plainfield. Visitation will be on Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.