By Elaine Van Develde

He was a community pillar. He was the go-to Rumson Department of Public Works (DPW) guy for decades. He was a volunteer fireman, first aid squad member. He helped out many in need through church and many a charitable cause. He was a mentor. He was king of the zeppole-makers. He was a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was a warm hometown embrace with a lot of heart, no pretense. He was Joe Sorrentino and his hometown of Rumson said goodbye to him today as he was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Keyport.

Joe was 81 years old. He passed away on April 2 surrounded by his loving family at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.

His death prompted a flood of nothing but good memories and thanks from Rumson officials and employee who admired him as a mentor and kind, caring presence in the borough.

Having worked at Rumson DPW for four decades, retiring in 2003 as superintendent, Joe Sorrentino was now-DPW Superintendent Mark Wellner’s boss.

“Joe was a great boss,” Wellner reminisced.  “He was a long-time resident and very dedicated to the town.  He made sure residents had the best service possible.  He led by example and treated everyone with respect.  He was well-liked and greatly admired by the guys [in DPW].  I learned a lot from Joe, he was a mentor to me.”

Mayor John Ekdahl echoed the sentiment, calling Sorrentino “a loyal, long-time, valued borough employee, who gave selflessly of his time to the residents.  Joe exemplified the high level of service our residents have come to expect.”

More importantly, colleagues said, Joe Sorrentino cared. And they thank him for that. They thank him for his service. They thank him for the heart he put into Rumson.

Here’s how Joe Sorrentino lived his life …

In addition to spending 40 years working for the Rumson Department of Public Works, retiring as its superintendent, he was a life member of the Rumson Fire Department, having served as its president. He was also a member of the Rumson First Aid Squad, also having served as its president, his obituary on legacy.com said.

Joe was a communicant of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, in Long Branch, where he was an usher, a member of the Welcoming Committee and a volunteer at the church’s Society of St. Vincent dePaul.

He was a member of the Italian American Club of Ocean and was known for making zeppole at the club’s fair every year. Joe was also a member of the Catholic War Veterans of Ocean after having served in the U.S. Army. He was an active volunteer for the Central Jersey Blood Bank and would be the smiling face to greet and check in donors at blood drives around the area, according to his obituary.

Joe is survived by:his loving wife of 53 years, JoAnn Burnett Sorrentino; two sons, Joe Sorrentino and wife Polly, of Brookfield, CT, and John Sorrentino and wife Melody, of Ocean; his grandchildren, John Gunnar Sorrentino and Anna Sorrentino; and  his sister, Pauline  Smith, of Fair Haven.

He is predeceased by his brother, James Sorrentino, of Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Joe’s memory be made to St. Vincent de Paul, 6 West End Court, Long Branch, NJ 07740. St. Vincent de Paul provides support for the less fortunate.

Hoffman Funeral Home, Long Branch, was in charge of arrangements. The mass of christian burial was held today, Friday, at St. Michael’s.