Joseph Wankow

Joseph Edward Wankow, 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and brother, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on January 11, 2015. Joseph was born, Josef Edwin Wankow on March 4, 1927, in Plainfield, NJ to the late Josef and Zophia Hajduk Wankow. He was raised by his mother and stepfather in a mom and pop store in Plainfield, NJ, during the Great Depression. His father died before he was born, and his mother died when he was eleven years old. Joe was basically on his own from an early age, except for the guidance of his stepfather and older brother Rudolph, (Rudy), Wankow. He also had a younger half-sister, Jessica Citkowski. All siblings predeceased him. Joe graduated from Plainfield High School in 1944, and enlisted in the US Navy as a Signalman Third Class. His service vessels included the NRS NY, NTS Sampson, NY, NTSCH Bainbridge, MD; USS McDougal (AG 126), RS & AGC Brooklyn NY, and PSC, Lido Beach, LI NY. He received the Victory Medal and American Theater Medal. After the War, Joe took his GI bill and received his Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University. In 1950 Joe was hired by Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics, (Bakelite), in Bound Brook, NJ, and was instrumental in the development and production of polyethelene, the chief component in Glad Bags. He met his bride of 56 years, Aline Jones, at Bakelite, and they were married April 12, 1958. Joe worked at Union Carbide until his retirement in 1985. After UCC he worked in real estate for over 10 years. Joe enjoyed photography and stamp collecting. He was actively involved in his church, the United Methodist Church of Bound Brook for 57 years. He taught Sunday school, was the treasurer, sang in the choir, and helped with the men’s ministry. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and a great provider. He had a great sense of humor. Joe and his late wife, Aline travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, Israel, Egypt, and Wales. He also travelled to Europe and South Africa on business. Joe leaves behind his three daughters, Gwendolyn J. Pritchett, and her husband, Claude, their sons, Joseph and David, of Dover, DE; Tammy Anne Melli, and her husband, Larry, their children, Katelyn and Malachi, of Bridgewater, NJ; and Linda Lee Wankow, and her companion, Jose Quinones of Springfield, VA; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will begin 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the United Methodist Church of Bound Brook. Visiting will be Friday, 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Men's Ministry of the United Methodist Church, 150 West Union Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ 08805 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675