Joseph Frank Alfano, age 79, of Mt. Laurel, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, surrounded by family.

He was born on November 11, 1942, at Wyckoff Heights Hospital, Brooklyn, the second child of Gerlando and Josephine (Rzempoluch) Alfano, children of Sicilian and Polish immigrants. Three generations of his family lived on Melrose Street in Bushwick where he served as an altar boy at nearby St. Leonard's Roman Catholic Church and attended local schools. He acquired the nickname "Butchie" as an infant and accepted it from his family all his life. When he was 11 years old, his father died and he and his brother and two sisters were then raised solely by their mother.

He graduated from Bushwick High School, loved anything to do with numbers, and had an excellent memory. Far more important to him at that age were his friends and his social club, Club Imperial in Bushwick. He was blessed with his first daughter Lisa in 1961.

In the early 1970s he met the love of his life, Veda Diaz, and became licensed to work in the securities industry. Joseph and Veda were married in April 1972 and went on to have three children, Joseph Jr, Melissa, and Melanie. They raised their young family in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Minneapolis, before settling in Dayton, NJ, where their three children attended St. Paul School in Princeton and Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville. In those happy years, he supported the children's school and sports endeavors and thoroughly loved family life.

He advanced in his career and headed the New York offices of Midwest regional firms Dain Bosworth, and later Piper Jaffrey (U.S. Bancorp). He is remembered as being a generous and encouraging mentor to those starting their careers. In 2001, he semi-retired, which included working at Target stores in New Jersey. He and Veda moved to Pemberton, NJ in 2007 and to Mt. Laurel, NJ in 2021.

Joseph was never happier than when he was surrounded by his family. He was steadfast in his devotion to his wife, children, mother, sisters, brother, and extended family. He was proud to be able to provide a good life for his children. Going out to breakfast with friends or family was a true pleasure. He was loyal and tender-hearted, even though he could be a playful tease. He was a storyteller and told some of his favorites over and over. He was pleased and proud of the growth and accomplishments of his children, and many nieces and nephews. He took the utmost pride in being a grandfather and loved his nine grandchildren with his whole heart and soul.

He was preceded in death by parents Gerlando and Josephine Alfano, brother-in-law Frank Grazia, and nephew Robert J. Alfano, Jr.

He is survived by Veda Alfano, his wife of 50 years, and their children Joseph Alfano Jr. and his wife Vanessa, Melissa Hanford and her husband Jeffrey, Melanie Cervino and her husband Chris, as well as daughter Lisa Dewey and her husband Michael.

He was beloved by Connie Grazia, Robert Alfano (Millie Pampaloni), and Diane (John) Caparso, his sisters and brother who survive him.

His grandchildren are Noah (Annalies) Dewey, Adam Dewey, Presley Alfano, Reese Hanford, Cole Hanford, Brady Hanford, Christopher Cervino, Cameron Cervino, and Lyla Cervino. He is also survived by two great grandsons, Ian and Miles Dewey, and many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Please join The Alfano Family at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 as we honor the life of Joseph F. Alfano, Sr. on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.  Visitation services will begin at 10 AM followed by a funeral mass at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the National Brain Tumor Society , 55 Chapel St., Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458, would be appreciated.