Joseph C. Hale
Joseph C. Hale (“Butch”), 90, died Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at home in Winter Springs, Florida, surrounded by his loving family.
Joseph is survived by Mary (“Moira”), his precious wife of 65 years, cherished daughters Elizabeth, Patricia (William) Terrill and grandson Ryan Hale. Joseph was predeceased by his beloved son Stephen, parents Chester and Elizabeth Hale, sisters Doris Hale and Mildred Fine.
Joseph was born and raised in Kearny. He was a three-sport letter man while attending Kearny High School. In 2005, he was inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the undefeated 1948 NJ State Championship Football team. Kearny High was where he met the love of his life, Mary Sloan. They married a few years later. Joseph followed the many generation proud Hale tradition of serving in the US Army as an Armor Division tank leader during the Korean War.
For many years, he was an owner and operator of Highland Truck Lines. Moving to Florida after retirement in 1985, he was a bus driver for Alamo-Rent-A-Car.
He enjoyed family celebrations at home, beach vacations and watching his beloved Boston Red Sox, Bruins and New York Giants.
A Mass of Christian burial is planned for April 19, at St Stephen’s Catholic Community, Winter Springs, Florida. Viewing will begin at noon followed by mass at 1 p.m. Please sign the guest book at www.BanfieldFuneralHome.com.
Burial is scheduled for April 23, 2021 at the Hale family plot in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Graveside service, with Military Honors, will begin at 11 a.m. Arrangements are by the Condon Funeral Home, Kearny.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Joe’s military service by donating to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.