Joseph Patrick Slater

Joseph Patrick Slater, 62, of Middlesex, NJ passed into eternal life surrounded by loving family on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Joseph was a beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, counselor and friend and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

Joseph was born on May 12, 1961 in Brooklyn, NY where he spent his formative years. He attended Xavier Jesuit High School in Manhattan, attained degrees in English Literature and Philosophy at Cathedral College in Douglaston, NY, and went on to achieve Master of Philosophy and Master of Divinity Degrees at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University.

His early career and ministerial calling included among other things, years working as an AIDS/Hospice Minister, a Spiritual Retreat Director, and a Pastoral Counselor. He worked within various ministries and supported initiatives and foundations that included multiple-denominational faiths. Joseph also spent time supporting and ministering to poor and underprivileged Native American/Indigenous peoples of the Hopi Tribe in Northern Arizona.

His Spiritual life and pursuits also called Joseph to a few years of investigating the monastic life. He was accepted and served as a Novice and member of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance at Our lady of New Melleray Abbey, in Peosta, Iowa. While the power of prayer and a life of silence was compelling, Joseph ultimately believed that God was calling him elsewhere and made the decision to return to life and family beyond the walls of his beloved Abbey and community.

Joseph’s life was also marked by a focus on mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. He studied alternative health methodologies, became certified in massage therapy and was active in mental health and addiction recovery support systems. He likewise navigated his own life’s burdens with dignity and an openness to share his burdens in the hope of helping others…which he surely did.

Upon meeting Joseph, it was impossible not to notice his great intellect, compassion, insights, love and great humor. His knowledge of the arts was second to none. Be it literature, painting, architecture, music, philosophy – Joseph (humbly) held great knowledge of so many things. He had an affinity for languages and his knowledge and use of Latin might have matched his extensive knowledge and use of the English language.

Beyond his knowledge of the arts, he was in fact quite artistic. He had the ability to create beauty – within music, interior design, master gardening, and via his culinary skills. Joseph’s palate and skill would allow him to create beautiful meals with the most exquisite ingredients – but he would also not turn down a ‘Hostess Snoball’! It might make many who knew him smile to remember that he did all the above while also being impeccably dressed.

He was a man of so many talents. Reverence and grace exuded from his love of the Divine and ‘all things sacred’ and humor, irreverence and his incredible ability to dance (!) permeated the more fundamental parts of life. But his greatest gifts came in his very presence. He was noted as someone who could and always would take time to talk to strangers. He had a rare ability to welcome and comfort those around him – meeting them (essentially) ‘where they were’ and showering them with his kindness and presence.

Those who were privileged enough to know Joseph since his youth can attest that he was a beautiful, kind, brilliant, insightful boy – who grew into a beautiful, kind, brilliant and insightful man.

Joseph was predeceased by his father, Joseph, his sisters Eileen and Katrina and his brother-in-law Thomas.

Joseph will be greatly missed by his mother, Maureen, brother Sean, his sister Susan, his sister Maureen, his brother-in-law Michael, his sister Jennifer and brother-in-law Nick, his brother James and sister-in-law Kinjal. He also leaves behind an ever-lasting love and legacy to many beloved nieces and nephews including Susan, Jessica, Paul, Melissa, Thomas, Kate, Harrison, Declan, Aidan, Alexa, Connor, Danielle, Jeevan and Dayven.

The far-reaching communities of friends and extended family that were touched by Joseph are too many to mention. He left all the lives he touched and the world - a far better, more beautiful and richer place by his presence. We look forward to reuniting with him in the Divine Realm when our time on earth has completed.

Gathering with the family will be  from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ.  A  Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, 600 Harris Avenue, Middlesex, NJ. Interment will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery.  All services are under the supervision of Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home.