Obituary of Joseph Olmstead

Joseph Olmstead, formerly of Rockaway, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 13, 2017, surrounded by his loving family at Compassionate Care Hospice in Dover. He was 84 years young. Joseph was born in the Bronx to William and Augusta Olmstead. It was there, at the age of 12, that he met Felica Palermo who would later become his wife. In 1962, they relocated to the White Meadow Lake section of Rockaway where they raised their family of five children. He most recently resided in Hopatcong with his son, Thomas. Joseph proudly served our country in the National Guard from 1947 - 1956. He was a hard working man, who worked well into his 70’s including 30 years employed as a machinist at Ragen Precision Industries in North Arlington. He enjoyed watching old westerns, tinkering, trips to the shore with his family, anything to do with boats and making silly faces with his great-grandchildren. Joseph was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Felicia in 2014. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Eleanore Bedi, George Olmstead, and Martin Olmstead. Left to keep his legacy alive are his children, Debra Simpson (John), Patricia Dawdy (Stephen), Barbara Fenske (Michael), Joseph W. (Paul Di Pietro), and Thomas; his cherished grandchildren Danielle deRonde (Mark), Jason Simpson (Dawn), Christopher Dawdy, Erika Renner (Nicholas), Lauren Fenske, Kellie Notte (Vincent), Robert Fenske and Brandon Olmstead; his worshiped great grandchildren, Dalene Dawdy, Michelina deRonde, Brantley Simpson, and Nora Felicia Notte; and many more loving relatives and friends. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 18th at 10 am at Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ. Interment to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Chester. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 17th from 4-8 pm at Norman Dean. Memorial Donations can be made in his memory to Hopatcong Fire Department by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org. To leave a condolence for his family, please go to www.normandean.com.