Joseph “Joe” Cartmell Bossert, Sr, age 80, formerly of Sandy Hook, passed away March 18, 2020 after a short illness. He was born September 24, 1939 to John E. Bossert, Sr, and Marion (Cartmell), and raised in Rosebank, Staten Island, N.Y.

He graduated from New Dorp High School there, where he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. He worked at the now-defunct Sun Chemical plant, before honorably serving in the US Army. He retired from the US Post Office where he worked as a letter carrier in Eltingville for 28 years. He settled in Connecticut where he worked at Stop & Shop for 14 years.

Joe was a formidable opponent in the playing of most sports — at New Dorp High School, in the US Army, and throughout most of his life. Hobbies included coin collecting and cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cleveland Browns.

He was a loving father to nine children. He is survived by daughters, Jill Squeri and her husband, Steve, of Hackettstown, N.J. and Joan Bergin and her husband, Jim, of Port Richey, Fla.; sons James and his wife, Suzanne (Bellone), of Holmdel, N.J., Jay and his wife, Debra (Selletti), of Staten Island, and Jeff and his wife, Heather (Carll), of Pearl City, Hawaii. He is also survived by sons Joseph and Christopher of Staten Island; and his brothers, John “Jack” and his wife, Lorie, and Jay and his wife, Rosemarie. Also surviving him are ten grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. His former wife Kathleen (Patti) (Finnerty); and two sons, Joseph, Jr and John predeceased him.

In the summer there will be memorials in Staten Island and Connecticut, celebrating the life of Joe.