ORESIC, JOSEPH

ORESIC, JOSEPH, 84, of Yardville, passed away Friday, March 7, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Nursing Center in Lawrenceville with family at his side. Born in Philadelphia and a longtime Yardville resident, Joseph served in the US Army from 1954-1956 and was stationed in Japan for most of his time in the military. He valued the importance of education and in 1958, earned his Bachelors degree from La Salle University. He went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Temple University in 1963, a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University in 1982 and in 2013 he finished the certificate program in Spiritual Direction from St. Francis House of Prayer in Westampton. A longtime employee of the State of New Jersey, Department of Corrections, Joseph retired from his position at Rahway State Prison. Over his career he worked as a teacher, the Director of Education, and social worker within the correctional system in NJ. Joseph was active with his faith and was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Yardville, the Fort Dix Chapel and the Knights of Columbus. He shared his faith by teaching at Vacation Bible School and CCD programs at Ft. Dix and in Wildwood. Joseph was a talented artist in both photography and painting. He enjoyed the beauty of nature and often used flowers as his subject. Joseph also loved to travel and enjoyed time he spent at the Wildwood shore. He was a man with a generous spirit who loved being with people and was dedicated to his family and friends. The eighth of nine children, he was the son of the late, Fabian and Lubica “Molly” Mayer Oresic. His father came to the United States from Croatia at the age of 16 and later married Molly and they began their family together. Predeceased by his grandson Frank and 7 siblings, Joseph is survived by his children, Mari Oresic of Southampton, Ann Bihari and her husband Greg of Hamilton, Mark Oresic of Pemberton and Vincent Oresic and his wife Brenda of Mt. Holly; his brother, John Oresic; six grandchildren, Tara, Jonathan, Rebekah, Charity and her husband Matt, Leah and Chris; his former wife, Rita Gomes; many nieces and nephews and a large extended family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am on Friday, March 14th at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 555 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Yardville. Interment will follow in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 7-9pm at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown, NJ.