Joseph “Joe” Amoroso

Joseph “Joe” Amoroso passed away on December 27, 2025 at Holy Family Senior Living in Bethlehem where he resided for the last six months of his life.

He was born in 1932 during the depression in Phillipsburg, NJ.  He lived on Sitgreaves Street, “the Flats”, with his parents and four siblings. By his own admission they were poor, but as he often said everyone in this mostly Italian neighborhood was poor so it didn’t seem unusual. At a very young age, his own father became ill and he was called upon to work and help support the family. He sold scrap metal, did odd jobs at Reynolds Pharmacy, worked on a vegetable truck with his uncle, and foraged for pieces of coal in the coal chutes to help heat the home. He always said this was the best time of his life.  He graduated from St. Philip and St. James High School in 1951.

He then met Edna Rhen and they married in February 1955.  They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past February. They raised three sons, lived very modestly, but never lacked for anything. He first worked at Sanko, then a number of years at Modern Wallpaper and finally back at Reynolds Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Tech until he retired in 1997.

He was a great son and brother, a wonderful uncle and a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He taught us to always work hard and finish the job, and to be accepting and tolerant and honest with people. He taught us to truly listen to people as he was more of a listener than a talker. We will miss him, his humor, and his calm and gentle way.

He is survived by his wife “Dolly”, three sons, ten grandchildren, and many great grandchildren. He is predeceased by three sisters, Mary Tarsi, Ida Russo, and Yolanda Rymond, and a brother, Anthony Amoroso.

Services will be private and are under the direction of the Finegan Funeral Homes of Phillipsburg & Alpha.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Holy Family Senior Living in Bethlehem.