Joseph N. Engrassia III, Police Officer, Dies At 23

Courtesy of Timothy E. Ryan Home For Funerals

Joseph N. Engrassia of Seaside Heights died on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at his home. He was 23.

He was born in Toms River and lived in Lacey Township before moving to Seaside Heights. He was a graduate of Lacey Township High School Class of 2012, where he played football for two years.

He graduated from the 36th class of the Ocean County Police Academy class with a high academic average of 99.96. Joey started his career with the Seaside Heights Police Department in 2014, then pursued his dream with the Plumsted Police Department in 2015. He was a member of the Plumsted PBA Local #390.

Joey is predeceased by his mother Mary Ann Engrassia and his step-brother Jason Marles, who also started his career in Seaside and pursued his dream with the Ocean Gate Police Department.

He is survived by his father, Joseph Engrassia Jr., his stepmother, Patricia Engrassia of Toms River, his sister Brianna Engrassia of Seaside Heights, and his stepsister Samantha Marles of Toms River; his grandparents Joseph and Lucille Engrassia, grandmother Marilyn Tavaglione and his step-grandparents James and Roberta Sullivan, his great-aunt and uncle Marie and Ralph Sofia, who were like grandparents to him, along with his many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins, whom he cherished.

The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Boulevard in Toms River, NJ. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Toms River, NJ.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to whereangelsplayfoundation.org or Where Angels Play Foundation 158 Bucknell Ave. Woodbridge NJ 07095.

Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock