Joseph Maggio, Sr., 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Born on March 20, 1931, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Ettore and Mary Maggio. Joe was born and raised in Elizabeth, where he spent most of his life. He and his wife Beverly later made their home with their five children in Roselle Park for more than 30 years before returning to live out the rest of his life in his hometown of Elizabeth.

Following his graduation from high school, Joe was drafted into the United States Army in 1952, proudly serving his country during the Korean War and achieving the rank of Corporal. While stationed stateside in Norfolk, Virginia and West Point, Corporal Maggio was responsible for the training, disciple, and well-being of his fellow junior-servicemen before receiving his honorable discharge in 1954.

Upon returning home, Joe briefly operated his own fruit and vegetable truck, bringing fresh produce throughout the Elizabeth area. He then established himself as a self-employed house painter, a profession he enjoyed for many decades and continued well into his later years.

One of his greatest joys came each Christmas season. For over 30 years, he operated a Christmas tree stand in Elizabeth and later in Roselle Park. With his full white beard, Santa hat, infectious smile, and the help of his loving family, he affectionately sold the trees to all throughout the community as “Santa Claus.” It was a tradition that brought him tremendous happiness and created lasting memories for generations of families.

A faithful Catholic, Joe was a longtime parishioner of Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Elizabeth and, more recently, Church of the Assumption in Roselle Park.

Joe embraced life with a joyful spirit. He loved singing, dancing, telling jokes, and making people laugh. He had a lifelong appreciation for antique vehicles and collectibles, enjoyed nature, and took great pride in his vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and especially his cherished fig trees. Above all else, he treasured time spent with his family, who were the center of his life.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, Beverly F. Maggio, who passed away in 2018 and by his late sisters Nicoletta Costanza, Rosalie Condran, Rita Castiglione, Vera LeRose, Josephine Busichio, and Esther Fallon. 

He is survived by his loving children, Catherine Albers, Joseph Maggio, Jr., Karen Strowe (husband Thomas H. Strowe deceased 2025), Sharon Kantouros and her husband, Nick, and Susan Fluet and her husband, Gerry. He was the proud grandfather of Jeff and his girlfriend, Brandy, Michael and his girlfriend, Jackie, Thomas and his wife, Kylie, Anthony, Nicholas, Emily and her fiancé, Peter, Andrew and his girlfriend, Sophia, and Benjamin. He is also survived by his five cherished great-grandchildren: Rebecca, Joseph, Jeffrey, Jaedyn, and Michael, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's memory to Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.