Obituary of Joseph Robert Ramus

Joseph Robert Ramus passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 3, 2016. Mr. Ramus was born at home in his beloved Watertown, New York on Christmas Day, 1931 to Anthony and Margaret (Morrison). He graduated from Watertown High School in 1950 on the day that the Korean War was declared and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for four years aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Bordelon whose crew reunions he attended for 30 years. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, Joe enrolled at Saint Lawrence University, Canton, New York from which he graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education in 1958. He began his career in Watertown, moving with the Y.M.C.A. to Troy, New York. Taking a job with the Boys Club of America brought him to Trenton, New Jersey. A short time later Joe joined the Mercer County Welfare Board, now the Mercer County Board of Social Services, and rose through the ranks to end his career as the deputy director in 1995. He resided for many years in Hamilton Township, moving to Point Pleasant after retirement. His heart, however, remained always in the North Country where the family spent many happy summer vacations. For many years Joe was associated with Martin House in Trenton and, in retirement, the school store at Saint Rose High School in Belmar. Joseph was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Mary Ellen (Mickey) Malloy and his sister and brother-in-law Anna and Louis Villenueve. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Katherine (Safford) and their children, Pamela and Stephen Belton of Mount Holly, Christopher and Allison Ramus of Hopewell, Michael Ramus of Jersey City, and John and Kelly Ramus of Point Pleasant. Also left to mourn his passing are his grandchildren Joshua and Mia Belton and Jacob, Amanda and Abigail Ramus, and his brother and sister-in law John and Iris (Midge) Ramus of Adams Center, NY. Surviving in-laws include his mother-in-law Mary Safford, brother-in-law Leonard and wife Linda Safford of Brentwood, TN, and sister-in-law Mary and husband Christopher Curioli of Bangor, Maine. "Uncle Joe" will be remembered fondly by his many nieces and nephews as well as members of the Malloy family. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Thursday, October 6 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 at the Pable Evertz Funeral Home of Point Pleasant, 901 Beaver Dam Road. A Mass of the Resurrection will take place at The Church of Saint Martha, 3800 Herbertsville Road, Point Pleasant, NJ on Friday, October 7 at 9:30. Donations in his memory can be made to Martin House as Better Community Housing of Trenton, Inc., 802 East State Street, P.O. Box 298, Trenton, NJ 08602. The family would like to thank the staffs of Embracing Life Hospice and Interim Healthcare for helping them to keep Joe at home over the last 7 months of his life. Condolences may be shared at www.pableevertzfuneralhome.com