Joseph G. Chiera passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at the NJ Veterans Home at Menlo Park. He was 94 years old.

Born in Newark he resided in Staten Island, Perth Amboy and Woodbridge before moving to Edison 50 years ago.  He attended Saint Mary's Grammar School and graduated from Saint Mary's High School, both in Perth Amboy.

Joseph was a bartender extraordinaire for over 60 years at the Brass Bucket in Woodbridge and later as part owner of the Honey Bee Inn, also in Woodbridge.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served two years in "C" Company, 83rd Infantry as a Tech Sergeant; and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #7363 in Clark where he served as Post Commander for 18 years. He was also a charter and life member of BPOE Elks Lodge 2116, Woodbridge and a Fourth Degree member of Council #857, Knights of Columbus, Woodbridge.

Joe enjoyed summers at the Jersey Shore, particularly Seaside and Silverton; and was an avid NY Yankee fan and passionate golfer.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Olga Varga Chiera, and wife, Eleanor Virchick Chiera; his parents, Antonio and Maria Chiera; and siblings, Dominic, Rose, Stella, Mary and Victor.

Surviving are his daughter, Christine Almasy and her husband, Donald; granddaughter, Jessica Almasy; great grandson, Benjamin Friedstein; step children, Russell Saunderson and his wife, Cathy, Kathleen Baptista and her husband, Amadeu and Warren Saunderson; sister, Terry Yovanovich and her husband, Danny; brother, Anthony; and brother in law, John Saults. Joseph is also survived by so many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home (costello-greiner.com), 44 Green Street, Woodbridge. Cremation will be private. Visitation will be on Thursday beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to NJ Veterans Home at Menlo Park, Recreation Dept., 132 Evergreen Road, Edison, NJ 08837 in Joseph's memory would be greatly appreciated by his family.

Many, many thanks to the staff of the Eagle wing at NJ Veterans Home at Menlo Park and the hospice team at JFK Medical Center.