Joseph D. Laughlin Jr.

Everyone knew what Joe valued most: family. His kids’ interests shaped his own. When his wife and daughter got involved with The Salem County Young Shepherds 4-H Club, he was off in his truck picking up some sheep. Of course, they’d later become Joe’s sheep, but they won some ribbons along the way. His son’s love of Scouting led Joe to be active in Troop 13. Long after his son had earned Eagle Scout and headed off for college, Joe still stayed involved, mentoring another generation of boys. He attended countless dance recitals and marching band performances. He thought nothing of traveling a couple of hours to help his kids when they had a plumbing problem or locked themselves out of the house, or even just to visit for an hour. Everyone loves the UPS man: Joe was no exception. He began working for UPS as a part-time loader during his college years, moved on to driving brown trucks and big rigs, taught other UPS employees to safely do both, and spent many years as a supervisor. He was part of the 1989 Philadelphia Air Hub planning team. After 36 years at UPS, retirement found him keeping busy, working at Swedesboro True Value and Penske, and researching family genealogy. For years he was the care taker of the Stratton Mansion. He had the skills and tools to pull it off, the passion to make it perfect. He made friends easily and worked hard to maintain them for a lifetime. Joe made Swedesboro a friendlier town: he jogged almost every day, offering passing cars a smile and a wave.

Joe was born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Stratford, NJ. He worked summers as a Beach Haven, NJ lifeguard and graduated from Sterling High School as a member of the Class of 1967. After graduation, he joined the U. S. Navy and was a Hospital Corpsman. He was assigned to the Second Marine Division. After his Honorable Discharge, he attended Camden County College and Rutgers University. Somehow Joe was able to tear his rapt attention away from the course material of a Civil War and Reconstruction class to notice the pretty girl sitting next to him. Romance led to nuptials. Joe and Jo Ann’s marriage was blessed by two children: Joseph D. III (Liliya) and Rebecca.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jo Ann; his loving children, son, Joseph D. III and his wife, Liliya, and daughter, Rebecca; his brother, James (Kathleen), his mother- and father-in law, Jules and Josephine Alexander, sister- and brother-in-law, Deborah and Mark Munson, and niece and nephews, Kristine Laughlin, Andrew Laughlin, Matthew Munson, and Brandin Munson (Stella), and his constant shadow, Hayley the German Shepherd. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph D. and Florence Laughlin, and his brother-in-law, Jules J. Alexander III.

Come celebrate 69 great years Sunday 5-7 p.m. and Monday 9-10 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro where there will be a service at 10. Interment, Lake Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made in Joe’s memory to Boy Scout Troop 13 (Swedesboro, NJ).