Obituary of Joseph M. Motisi

Motisi, Joseph M., Major, USAR, (Retired), age 92, died on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Of Lyndhurst, NJ and Delray Beach, FL. He is survived by his wife, Rose (nee Ristaino) of sixty-nine years and daughter, Ms. Patricia Motisi of Clifton, NJ. Joseph was predeceased by his son, Captain James A. Motisi, USMC, in 1976 while serving in the Marine Corps Reserves following his return from two years of service in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Dr. Joseph M. Kist and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Davidson, of Haddonfield, NJ; Ronald Kist, Jr. of Clifton, NJ; Gina Motisi Orban and her husband, Gabor; James A. Motisi Massey and his wife, Barrie all of Federicksburg, VA; Ann Garnett Arendt and her husband, Kevin of Lindenhurst, IL; his daughter-in-law Mrs. Betty Massey and her husband, Blanton of Federicksburg, VA. Also four great grandchildren: Christopher Limbrick, Natalie Rose Kist, Callie Arendt and Elizabeth Massey. He is also survived by his brother Peter and his family of Montgomery, AL. Joe was born and lived in St. Louis, MO until he was four, then in Jersey City, NJ until the age of twelve. His parents lost their home during the depression in 1932 and moved to Norwood, NJ, then to Closter where his father farmed for a living. Joe graduated Closter High School in 1938. Unable to find meaningful work, in 1940 joined the U.S. Regular Army Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, NJ as a private. Following basic training was assigned to the Post Print Shop which was the beginning of his life�s work in printing. The Army sent him to civilian printing schools at Intertype Corp. in Brooklyn, NY and American Type Founders in Elizabeth, NJ. He rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. In 1944 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and served as Chief Publications Officer, first at Fort Monmouth and then the Sacramento Signal Depot in California that served the Pacific Theater. Following his discharge after the war, he joined the Army Reserves and was assigned to II Army Corps, Kearny, NJ and served for an additional 18 years, his last twelve as the Battalion Adjutant until his retirement in 1963 with the rank of Major and a total of 23 years of service. He was also a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America. Returing to civilian life in 1946, Joe became a member of the International Typographical Union and worked for the Scott Printing Co. of Jersey City as a Linotype operator and machinist. In 1949, he was hired by The Poggi Press of Hoboken for the same position until 1969 when he left to start his own computer typesetting and printing business, Otis Graphics Inc., in Lyndhurst which is presently under ownership and operation of his daughter, Ms. Patricia Motisi and grandson, Ronald Kist, Jr., since he retired in 1991. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral from Nazare Memorial Home, Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 9 AM then to Sacred Heart Church, Lyndhurst where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst. Visiting hours Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to either Our Lady Queen of Peace Mission Church, 9600 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33446, Sacred Heart Church, 324 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 or CBHCare, 516 Valley Brook Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.