Obituary of Joseph J. Klimas

Joseph J. Klimas, age 84, died on Thursday, October 28th at his residence in Martinsville. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and had lived in North Plainfield before moving to Martinsville. Mr. Klimas received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the City College of New York. After serving in the Navy, he began a forty year career in asphalt roofing and allied materials in research and development. He spent part of that time working for Ruberoid Corporation and General Aniline & Films in South Bound Brook. As a laboratory manager, Mr. Klimas held chairmanships in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and was awarded the title of Fellow for innovative testing procedures and national product specifications. He became chairman of the Research Committee of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and worked with the National Bureau of Standards developing identification tests involving crude oil spills. After retirement, Mr. Klimas became a consultant and expert witness in roofing court cases. Mr. Klimas enjoyed photography and reading mystery novels. He is predeceased by his first wife, Helen Saulis Klimas in 1975. Surviving are his wife, Florence E. Duncan Klimas; his sons, Dr. John T. Klimas and his wife Kathleen of Charlotte, NC, Andrew S. Klimas and his wife Ann of Randallstown, MD, and Edward G. Klimas and Theresa Rogers of Middletown, NJ; his daughter,The Rev. Dr. Marcella L. Klimas and her husband The Rev. Richard Hawkins of GA; his stepsons, Randy S. Goodell and his wife Andrea of Tampa, FL, Scott K. Goodell and his wife, MaryAnn of West Granby, CT and Dustan G. Goodell and his wife Angela of Bedford, TX. Also surviving are his brother Albert Klimas of Ridgewood, NY; his sisters Leocadia Marcinka of Monroe, CT and Frances Jakatt and her husband Edward of Lynbrook, NY; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and 7 step grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 1, 2004 at 9:00 am at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass at St. Lukes RC Church, North Plainfield. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Lukes Church, 300 Clinton Ave., North Plainfield, 07060