Joseph John DeSantis, 82 a lifelong resident of Long Branch and most recently Neptune passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021.
Joe was a larger than life man who lived for his family and friends. An entrepreneur and founder of Great Garlic Foods in Bradley Beach, he built this family business with his brother Peter and is now run by his son Joseph. He was active in the Italian American Memorial Association of Long Branch, the Amerigo Vespucci Society of Long Branch, the West Long Branch Men's Club and the Italian American Association of Ocean Township. Sharing dinners and traveling with his family and friends were among what he enjoyed most. He selflessly helped many people in countless ways, along with supporting numerous charities like The Shriners Hospital and Wounded Warriors among those closest to his heart.
Joe was the beloved husband of Barbara DeSantis (nee Irons); the devoted father of Lisa Monte and her husband Tony and Joseph DeSantis and his wife Sherry. He was the loving grandfather of Victoria, Ashley and Joseph and his siblings Mary, Tina and Russell DeSantis and step grandfather to Brianna McCarthy and Madison McCarthy. He was a loving son of the late Russell (Nu Nu) and Ermina (nee Raimondi) DeSantis and his late brother Peter DeSantis.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 6 from 9:30 am - 11 am at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave. in Long Branch followed by a 11:30 am Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Long Branch. Entombment will take place at Woodbine Mausoleum in Oceanport. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Shriners International, 2900 Rocky Pt. Dr., Attn: Donation Dept., Tampa, FL 33607; The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.