Obituary of Joseph F. Rean

Joseph F. Rean, a long term Franklin Township resident, was born in Bayonne, N.J. January 25, 1917. He was the son of the late John Renzanka and Ann Herra. He was the youngest of three children. His sister, Marie Rezanka Weissenberger 1984 and brother, Frank Rezanka 1985 preceded him. The family moved to Franklyn Township Hunterdon County in 1932. He attended and graduated from Clinton High School. As a young man he worked with the township road department. This was when roads were maintained with pick and shovel. Roads were made accessible after a severe snow storm by the same crews with shovels. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a machinists mate. After assignments in Newark, NJ; Sampson, NY; Dearborn Mich; and Norfolk, VA. He was assigned sea duty aboard the tanker USS Winooski (A038) as part of the Pacific Fleet / Philippines. He was awarded the Victory Medal; American Theater Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, one star; and the Asiatic Pacific Medal, three stars. After his military discharge Joe returned to Franklyn Township and began his lifes work as a carpenter. He married his wife of 39 years, the late Maureen Blackman, on July 31, 1948. He was employed as a carpenter and then superintendent with Hunterdon General Contractors Flemington, NJ until his retirement in 1986. He was responsible for the construction of the Clinton New Jersey telephone company facility (now Embarq) built in 1961, as well as many school expansion projects during that time. During the 1950s he personally built his home on the familys Hogback Road property where he had lived as a teenager. Being a sailor he was no stranger to the sea. He and his wife enjoyed several vacation cruises. Joe was a good Samaritan. On one occasion he stopped to rescue an out of state family stranded in a snow storm. They were brought to his home, fed, and provided lodging. The family remained friends visiting many times thereafter. Since 2000 Joe resided at Valley View Nursing Home in Frenchtown, NJ. He is survived by his nephew George O. Weissenberger of Campobello, SC. And niece Anna E. Weissenberger Smith of Snow Camp, NC, grandnephews Mark Weissenberger of Gramling, SC, George M. Weissenberger of The Woodlands, TX; and grandniece Janet Weissenberger Bensema of Willis, TX. Also surviving are five great grand nieces and nephews. The Visitation will be on Friday, June 15th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home and there will be a Catholic Blessing at 12:00 pm also on Friday, June 15th at the Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Quakertown, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Maureen Rean, Joes wife of 39 years, who died early in life from cancer in 1987. Please mail donations in memoriam of Joseph Rean to the American Cancer Society, 600 1st Avenue, Raritan, NJ 08869. All Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton, NJ 08809