Obituary of Joseph Michael Villano
Joseph “Joe” Villano, 88 of South Plainfield, NJ died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning November 27, 2022.
He was born in Newark, NJ to Angelina and Michael Villano, had a sister Margaret and a brother George who died in infancy. Joe grew up in Union, NJ down the street from Dorothy “Dot” Dunne who would become the love of his life and wife of 66 years.
In 1955 Joe enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Colorado Springs. One year later he and Dot were married and spent time as husband and wife in Stuttgart, Germany where their first daughter Kim was born. Two other daughters, Laurie and Linda, would follow. The family moved to South Plainfield, NJ where Joe and Dot resided for 62 years.
Joe graduated from Union High School and earned credits at Upsala College before joining the Army. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service and Canteen Corporation before entering the liquor business when he and his beloved partner Marty bought their own store, Kilmer Liquors, in New Brunswick, NJ. Despite being held up and shot shortly after opening, Joe persisted, building a successful business and earning the respect and love of the neighboring community. He loved the business, loved his partner, and once relayed to one of his grandchildren that he was living his dream!
In 1995 Joe retired from the business and sold the store. Not one to be idle he pursued another love in his life, a deep, life long love of animals, especially dogs. He earned his dog grooming license in 1996 and undertook to work for himself and others grooming dogs. His love of dogs carries on in our entire family – grandchildren and great grandchildren alike.
Joe also loved tennis and played the game whenever and wherever he could and made many close friends along the way. He worked at the Inman Racquet Club giving group and private lessons and counted many of his students as friends.
Joe Villano was a self-made man through and through. He was always himself, always authentic, and wore his heart on his sleeve. He made a successful business for himself by the sheer force of his work ethic, personality and innate business sense. No one handed him anything. He pursued what he loved in life and was truly the head of our family. We loved him and most importantly knew he loved us.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Villano, and his three daughters, Kim Villano, Laurie Kundla and her husband Mark, and Linda Giannakis and her husband Jim. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren Nicholas Giannakis, Jacquelyn Dyer and her husband Nick, Jaime Moran and her husband Ryan, Matthew Kundla, Jessica Kundla and Mike, and Jenny Giannakis. Great grandchildren Joseph James and Vivienne Taylor were so fortunate to have time with him.
Funeral services are private and under the direction of the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, South Plainfield, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center would be appreciated- sthuberts.org
