Obituary of Joseph Francis Nicastro

Joseph Francis Nicastro, age 84, died on Monday, August 25, 2008 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ Joseph was born in Sharon, PA and lived in Sharpsville, PA before residing in Bridgewater for past 38 years. He was a manager in Exxon International Tanker Operations for 19 years, retiring in 1984. Joseph was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Long Island. He was a member of the New York Port Engineers Society, and served as an engineer on merchant vessels in W.W.II. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve and as a Commander in the United States Maritime Service. He was a consultant to American Foreign Shipping on contractual work for U.S. Maritime Administration covering their Ready Reserve Fleet Vessels. He commissioned for Active Duty USMA-R.R.F. vessels during operation Desert Storm and during the Persian Gulf War. Surviving are his wife, Bertha Lotka Nicastro; his daughter, Valerie Gunter and her husband Damon of Clarksville, MD; two sisters, Isabelle Harris of Richmond, VA and Leanore Garth of Roanoke, VA; and two grandchildren, Diandra and Trevor. The funeral will be held on Friday, August 29th at 9 a.m. from the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Resurrection at Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, Martinsville. The interment will be on Saturday in St. Rose Cemetery in Hermitage, PA. Visitation will be on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. only. To send condolences visit www.higginsfuneralhome.com