Obituary of Joseph C. Ercole

Joseph C. Ercole, 94, of Walton, NY passed away on Wednesday May 17, 2017 at Merry Heart Care Center in Succasunna, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in New York City, on January 5, 1923 to the late Luigi and Maria (Esposito), Joseph resided in Brooklyn and Staten Island prior to becoming a permanent resident of Walton, NY 14 years ago. He worked as a Fire Control Specialist at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and founded E and S Marine Repair where he was a contractor for the US Government for 35 years. Joseph was an ardent naturalist and loved nature and the outdoors, especially among the serenity of his acreage in upstate NY. One of his favorite pastimes was feeding his Koi and goldfish in his pond in NY. Joseph served proudly in the United Sates Marine Corps during WWII.

He was predeceased by his wife Alice in 2003, two sons Louis and Joseph A., a daughter Carolyn Zietkiewicz, a son-in-law, Richard V. Costa and a grandson Joseph J. Ercole.

Survivors include his daughter, Ernestine Costa, seven grandchildren, Richard C. Costa, Christopher Ercole, Matthew Costa, Alice Howell, Michael Costa, Kathryn Zietkiewicz and John Zietkiewicz and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his long time companion and friend Pauline Sykes.

Joseph's Life Celebration will include viewing on Monday May 22 from 4-8 PM at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday May 23 beginning at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 8 Windemere Ave., Mt. Arlington. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.