Joseph A. Settembre, 94, of West Long Branch, passed away Monday, November 7th at home.

Joe was born November 2, 1922 in Asbury Park to Andrew and Minnie Settembre. He lived in Long Branch, moving to West Long Branch in 1947.

He was a Navy Veteran of World War II, serving as a Machinist Mate 2nd Class where he earned numerous awards (American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Company Medal and WWII Victory Medal).

Joe was an Automobile Mechanic and Heavy Mobile Equipment Inspector at Fort Monmouth, retiring after 36 years.

Joe joined the WLB Fire Company #2 in April 1957. He was an exempt member serving as Fire Captain (1973-1974), Assistant Fire Chief (1975), Fire Chief (1976), Fire Subcode Official (1976), Borough Fire Inspector (1976) and Fire Marshall (1970-1986). He was also a member and former secretary of the West Long Branch First Aid Squad.

Joe received the Community Service Award in 2002 for Fireman of the Year. He was also named Volunteer of the Year (2001) by Monmouth Medical Center for his valuable contributions to the food service department, accumulating of 3,000 hours of volunteer service.

Joe was a communicant of St. Jerome RC Church. He was past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2795 and was a member of Long Branch Council #335, Knights of Columbus.

Joe was predeceased by his parents Andrew and Minnie Settembre and his uncle and aunt Edward & Carmella Vetrano and several cousins.

Surviving are his cousins Lorraine Wilkes, Scott & Denise Nelson, Fred & Laura Wilkes, Marlene Howard, Kathy & Vladimir Tjunin, Lenore Howard, Vincent & Marie Fabrizio. He is further survived by many cousins, and relatives.

We wanted to say a special thank you to the many friends, relatives and caregivers that have provided support to Joe and his family.

We will miss you and most of all we will miss your stories, honesty, and quick wit.
Joe was well respected and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation Thursday, November 10th 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Funeral service Friday, November 11th 10:00 am at the funeral home. Burial Mt. Carmel Cemetery, West Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association Health Group Hospice, c/o Foundation Office. 176 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. To share a favorite memory or messages of condolence, please visit Joe’s Book of Memories at www.woolleyboglioli.com