Obituary of Joseph Patrick McElroy

Joseph P. McElroy, 84, Teacher and Community Leader Joseph P. McElroy, a teacher in Newark for thirty years, passed away at his home on October 8, 2009, after a long illness. He lived with his wife of fifty-four years, Claire, in Whiting, NJ. The McElroys' were long-time residents of Denville. Mr. McElroy was a high school teacher for the Newark Board of Education for thirty years, retiring in 1986. His last posting was as the chairman of the English Department at University High School on Clinton Place in Newark. After his retirement, Mr. McElroy extended his teaching career for a number of years as an Adjunct Professor of English at County College of Morris, in Randolph, NJ. Mr. McElroy was a dedicated community servant in Denville for four decades. He served as a Township Councilman in Denville for six years from 1972-1978. His contributions include the creation of Denville's Senior Citizens' bus service, the first publicly-funded local bus service for seniors in the State of New Jersey. He also was active in youth programs, sponsoring Denville's Youth Employment System, a referral service provided by the township connecting people in town in need of manual labor with teens in town in need of work. In the era before the ban on smoking at public meetings, Mr. McElroy attended council meetings smoking his signature cigar. This habit inspired protests by prominent local physician, Dr. Monroe Mufson, who attended town council meetings wearing a gas mask. A long-time parishioner at St. Mary's Church, Mr. McElroy was a senior acolyte and a member of the St. Mary's School board of education. He also served for six years as a commissioner of the Rockaway Valley Regional Sewage Authority. He was a member of Denville's Lions Club, a member of the board of Rock Ridge Lake Community Club of six years, directed the annual Hub Lakes League golf tournament, and volunteered as an umpire for the Denville Little League for many years. In 1988, Joseph McElroy was recognized for his service to the town as the recipient of Denville's annual Mini Bowl award. Born on December 19, 1924 in Newark, Mr. McElroy graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in 1943. He served in the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group of the Army Air Force during World War II. After his honorable discharge, Mr. McElroy earned a BA from Seton Hall University in 1950. He earned a MA degree also from Seton Hall in 1965. In 1951, Mr. McElroy captained the Dominican Friars of Saint Antoninus in Newark to the Eastern States CYO basketball championship with a record of 51-1. In addition to his wife, Mr. McElroy is survived by his sister, Evelyn, also of Whiting, his son Kenneth and his wife Claudette of Long Valley, NJ, his son William and his wife Lisa of Princeton Jct., NJ, his son Patrick and his wife Kuntal of Frisco, TX, and his son Timothy and his wife Martina of Randolph, NJ. Mr. McElroy leaves eleven grandchildren, Patrick, Meaghan, Brendan, Abigail, Mona, Regina, Casey, Sheila, Kelly, Danny and Dev. Funeral from the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, NJ www.normandean.com on Tuesday Oct. 13, 2009 at 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Mary's R.C. Church Denville, followed by interment at Denville Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Sunday Oct. 11, 2009 from 7-9PM, and Monday Oct. 12, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9PM. Please light a candle on our web site in Joe's memory. The family requests donations to be made to the Maryknoll Fathers P.O. Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545 or to Covenant House 460 West 41st St. New York, NY 10036.