Rutherford Funeral Home

Born in Elizabeth, NJ to the late Emilio and Dolores Fuentes, Joe joined the Navy during WWII serving on the LCT 880 as an electrician mate. After the Navy Joe worked at Wilson and Jones in Elizabeth, NJ where he met the lasting love of his life Helen (nee Cullen). The couple celebrated their 70th anniversary this past August.In 1956 Joe and Helen decided to move their family from Elizabeth to Garwood were Joe became active in the community. He served for over 25 years as a Special Officer on the Garwood Police Department, was a past member of the Garwood First Aid Squad and served several terms on the Garwood Board of Education. He was also a member of the Garwood VFW, St. Anne's Church and Knights of Columbus.In addition to Wilson & Jones, Joe also worked as an electrician at Alcoa in Edison, NJ and Carpenter Technology in Union, NJ.In 1989 Joe and Helen left Garwood and moved to Bowmansville, PA. During his retirement, Joe continued his love of bowling, meeting new friends and helping neighbors. He enjoyed sitting on his back porch reading and was given the award for "most books read" several years in a row by the local library.In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his sisters Carmen and Mary and brothers Emil, Henry, Lou and Frank.He is survived by his wife Helen, brother-in-law Ed Cullen of Spotswood, NJ, sons Joseph "Rick" and his wife Eileen of Rutherford, NJ and Kevin and his wife Karen (Alston) of Bowmansville, PA, grandson William "Bill" and Alyssia Malone of Sinking Spring, PA and Jennifer Ink and her husband Ryan of Adamstown, PA and his soon to be born great-granddaughter Lyric Grace Fuentes. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who all knew him as their caring "Uncle Joe".Family will receive friends Friday 4/6/18 from 4 to 8pm in the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford. Funeral on Saturday 9am from the Funeral Home for 10am Mass of Christian Liturgy in the Church of Saint Mary, Rutherford. Interment at St. Gertrude's Cemetery in Colonia, NJ.*A Memorial Service wi... (LancasterOnline)