Obituary of Joseph Van Koppen

Van Koppen, Joseph "Joe" age 90 of Toms River, formerly of Totowa, at rest in Toms River on February 3, 2024. Beloved husband of the late and former Madeline (nee Rutler) (1979) and the former L. Jill Spinelli of Toms River. Loving father of Victoria Venditti and her husband Don of Fairfield and Jennine Rodriguez and her husband Ed of Cummings , GA. Dear grandfather of Matthew, Madison, Dominique, and Justin. Brother of the late Cornelius "Neil" Van Koppen (2018) and brother in law of Judy Van Koppen of Wayne. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Born in Paterson, he lived in Hawthorne, Wayne and Totowa before moving to Toms River in 2010. He was a Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer for the Borough of Totowa since 1962 before retiring in 2013. Joe also worked for the Susquehanna & Western Railroad as an Assistant Signal Man from 1964 to 1968. Mr. Van Koppen was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean war. He was a member of the F&AM Lodge #126, Mountainview Chapter, Wayne and the Salaam Shriners Temple of Whippany. He had a TV repair business. He worked at Fountains of Wayne, (he was the doll doctor). He was also a Real Estate Agent for Century 21 Gold Properties, Totowa and Coldwell Banker Susani, Paterson. Joe owned a 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang and a 2002 Ford Thunderbird and was a member of the Tri County Cruisers car club, Wayne and enjoyed tinkering with the classic cars. He loved to RV and he owned a Class A and a Class C, RV. He loved Cape May and the Jersey shore and the boardwalk at Seaside Heights where he indulged in cheesesteaks and sausage and pepper sandwiches from the Midway Grill. Joe loved Walt Disney World and has visited there several times a year, every year and at times with an RV. He was a NY Jets and NY Yankees fan as well as an avid bird watcher. He was also a handyman. Joe was a people person and was very proud of his service to the people and the town of Totowa. On his down time, he enjoyed any time spent with his family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visiting hours at the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 PM with a funeral service to commence at 7:30 PM. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN and/or Salaam Shriners, Inc., 114 Algonquin Parkway #1, Whippany, NJ 07981 would be appreciated.