Obituaries

In Memoriam: Former Fair Havenite Joe Sraeel Jr., 87

Joseph Edward Sraeel, Jr.

Former Fair Havenite Joseph Edward Sraeel, Jr. passed away peacefully on Jan. 21. He was 87.

Born in Asbury Park on Oct. 14, 1938, Joe was a lifelong resident of the Jersey shore, happily residing in Fair Haven, Middletown, Manasquan and, finally, Red Bank.

He attended Mt. Carmel elementary school in Asbury Park, St. Rose High School in Belmar, where he was class president, and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

“He was the first in his immigrant Lebanese family to attend a university. He was the loving and devoted husband of Barbara (Sandford) Sraeel, originally of Manasquan, whom he married on March 9, 1963, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Asbury Park. Together with his wife, Joe raised a large, happy family and maintained a wide circle of extended family and friends.

“He was an avid golfer, devoted Hoyas supporter, rabid New York Yankees fan, and award-winning advertising executive in New York, most recently of the business-to-business agency Hammond-Farrell. His children fondly nicknamed him ‘Madison Avenue Joe.'”

Loved ones of Joe Sraeel in his obituary

Joe was predeceased by: his wife, Barbara; his parents, Joseph Edward Sr. and Josephine Shalhoub Sraeel; and sisters, Teresa Sraeel and Dolores Sraeel D’Auria.

He is survived by: his five beloved children, Michael (Candice), Holly, Pam, Joe and Jeff Sraeel; his treasured two grandsons, Richard and Christopher; two granddaughters, Adair and Virginia, his loving brother-in-law, John Sandford; many adored nieces and nephews; and a wide circle of close friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 27 Oratory Way, Red Bank, NJ, 07701. Interment will follow immediately after at Monmouth Memorial Park in Tinton Falls.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home