Joseph M Kemka

Joseph Michael Kemka, 77, of Florham Park, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, graduating with the Hoboken High School class of 1964. As a young boy, Joe joined the Boy Scouts and later went on to become a Small Arms Specialist in the United States Army Reserves. Joe graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University and worked in Public Accounting for hospitals. Eventually, he became CFO of United Hospitals of Newark where he met his future wife. It was this position that helped him realize he loved working in the hospitals and he then went on to earn his Masters in Public Administration in the hospital field. Throughout his long career, he worked in and for many hospitals including as a consultant at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. One of his most memorable and favorite positions he held right before he retired was the 5 years he spent down in New Orleans helping to build Saint Bernard’s Parish Hospital. He cherished his time there, attending the Mardi Gras ball, sampling all the food, and enjoying the culture.

Joe was very involved in the Florham Park community for over 30 years. He was a proud member of Holy Family Parish. Between the years of 1987-2002 he sent his children to Holy Family School where he served on the Educational Council for over a decade. He coached CYO basketball, helped build the floats in the Florham Park Fourth of July parade, and was a member of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance committee.

Joe also served on the Florham Park planning board for several years where he was instrumental in shaping many of the developments we see in Florham Park today. He also dedicated his time with the Florham Park Players, building sets and acting as a stand in whenever needed.

Joe loved spending his summers at the Jersey shore with his family. His door was always open and his home was always full of friends and family. You could always find Joe making margaritas and blasting Barry Manilow or some of his favorite MoTown tunes. For over 20 years he spent his summers in Sunset Manor, located in Lavallette, where he enjoyed going to see the Soul Cruisers, and watching the sunset on the back deck of his home with his wife, 6 children and 10 grandchildren.

Those who knew Joe best knew him as “Joe the Gem”. He was a generous, gracious, compassionate, gregarious man who truly was the voice of reason and one who would do anything for anyone. He was also well known for his unique sense of humor and delivery of such, which always had those around him laughing.

Beloved husband of 43 years to Susan (Schick) Kemka. Devoted father of Allyson Stavrou, Joseph Randall Kemka, his wife Jennifer, Stephanie Rogan, her husband James, Laura Ritchey, her husband David, Lindsey Hanson, her husband Kevin, and Cailyn Kemka. Cherished grandfather of Josslyn, Tyler, Hallie and Delilah, Charlotte, James and Carter, Joseph and William, and Emily. Dear brother of Kathleen Phelps. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Joe was pre-deceased by his daughter Jessica, his parents Joseph and Ellen, and his brother-in-law Kenneth.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Wednesday from 4-8pm.  The funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Church in Florham Park on Thursday at 11am, followed by the interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s name to:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Wounded Warriors Association, see donation box below for details….