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April 15, 2026
Services
Visitation hours will be at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, in Wayne, on Friday, April 24, from 4-8 PM. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Church, at 630 Valley Road, in Wayne, on Saturday April 25, at 11:00 AM. Please meet directly at church.
Joseph A. Portelli, age 71, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.
Joseph was born on March 31st, 1955, in Paterson, New Jersey, and raised by his parents, Lillian and Andrew Soter. He grew up alongside his sister, Linda Mallaney, and his brother, Thomas Portelli, on Dixon Ave, and later moved to Avenue C in Haledon. Joseph looked back quite fondly on the memories they made together in the North Jersey neighborhoods.
A graduate of Paterson Catholic (1973), Villanova University (1977), and Delaware Law School (1981), his career began as a law clerk to the Honorable Carmen Ferrante, followed by three years as an Assistant Passaic County Prosecutor. He then joined Barnes and Barnes in Newark before opening his practice, where he specialized in criminal law for over two decades. In 2009, he was appointed to the Passaic County Superior Court, where he served with integrity and fairness until his retirement in March of 2025. He was firm in his decisions and gave honest interpretations of the law while also maintaining tremendous grace, humility, and understanding.
Outside years of service in the courthouse, he was an incredibly selfless, loving, and resilient husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He met the love of his life, Brenda, at Smokey Joe’s in Philadelphia, PA, beginning a lifelong affinity for the city. They married on June 15, 1985 and enjoyed over 40 years of marriage together. Joseph and Brenda have four children–Joseph, Olivia, Rachel, and Michael–whom he adored. He has since welcomed his son and daughter in-laws, Anthony Colontonio and Andrea Portelli, and his three beautiful granddaughters, Emilia, Carolina, and Giulia.
Joseph is predeceased by his parents, Lillian and Andrew Soter, and his brother, Thomas Portelli. He is survived by his sister, Linda Mallaney (Thomas Mallaney), brothers-in-law, Brian Cosgrove (Tammy Cosgrove), AJ Williams (Sharon Straiton), and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Portelli (Thomas Portelli), many nieces and nephews, and a beloved extended family.
Joseph and his family spent countless summers in North Wildwood, a place near and dear to his heart. In his free time, Joseph loved crosswords, Scrabble, playing guitars, immersing himself in the world of Rock & Roll, and attending as many The Who concerts as he possibly could. He had the privilege of spending a lifetime with family and many wonderful friends that he valued and appreciated. Joseph will be deeply missed by all.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Visitation hours will be at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, in Wayne, on Friday, April 24, from 4-8 PM. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Church, at 630 Valley Road, in Wayne, on Saturday April 25, at 11:00 AM. Please meet directly at church.
April 15, 2026
Services
Visitation hours will be at Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, in Wayne, on Friday, April 24, from 4-8 PM. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Church, at 630 Valley Road, in Wayne, on Saturday April 25, at 11:00 AM. Please meet directly at church.
Joseph A. Portelli, age 71, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.
Joseph was born on March 31st, 1955, in Paterson, New Jersey, and raised by his parents, Lillian and Andrew Soter. He grew up alongside his sister, Linda Mallaney, and his brother, Thomas Portelli, on Dixon Ave, and later moved to Avenue C in Haledon. Joseph looked back quite fondly on the memories they made together in the North Jersey neighborhoods.
A graduate of Paterson Catholic (1973), Villanova University (1977), and Delaware Law School (1981), his career began as a law clerk to the Honorable Carmen Ferrante, followed by three years as an Assistant Passaic County Prosecutor. He then joined Barnes and Barnes in Newark before opening his practice, where he specialized in criminal law for over two decades. In 2009, he was appointed to the Passaic County Superior Court, where he served with integrity and fairness until his retirement in March of 2025. He was firm in his decisions and gave honest interpretations of the law while also maintaining tremendous grace, humility, and understanding.
Outside years of service in the courthouse, he was an incredibly selfless, loving, and resilient husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He met the love of his life, Brenda, at Smokey Joe’s in Philadelphia, PA, beginning a lifelong affinity for the city. They married on June 15, 1985 and enjoyed over 40 years of marriage together. Joseph and Brenda have four children–Joseph, Olivia, Rachel, and Michael–whom he adored. He has since welcomed his son and daughter in-laws, Anthony Colontonio and Andrea Portelli, and his three beautiful granddaughters, Emilia, Carolina, and Giulia.
Joseph is predeceased by his parents, Lillian and Andrew Soter, and his brother, Thomas Portelli. He is survived by his sister, Linda Mallaney (Thomas Mallaney), brothers-in-law, Brian Cosgrove (Tammy Cosgrove), AJ Williams (Sharon Straiton), and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Portelli (Thomas Portelli), many nieces and nephews, and a beloved extended family.
Joseph and his family spent countless summers in North Wildwood, a place near and dear to his heart. In his free time, Joseph loved crosswords, Scrabble, playing guitars, immersing himself in the world of Rock & Roll, and attending as many The Who concerts as he possibly could. He had the privilege of spending a lifetime with family and many wonderful friends that he valued and appreciated. Joseph will be deeply missed by all.
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