Joel Edward Stark

Joe E. Stark, 84, of Eatontown, NJ passed away on March 19, 2023. He was born on March 11, 1939 to Hank and Helen Stark. Joel, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, is survived by his wife, Barbara; son and daughter-in-law, Toby and Stephanie; and grandchildren, Andrew, Madeline, Michael, and Sean. He was predeceased by his son, Jamie. Upon graduation from Millburn High School in 1957, Joel attended college in Texas under the GI Bill and was in the U.S. Army. He was all set to depart Texas to a mission overseas, but at the last minute, his assignment was scrubbed. He moved back to New Jersey and eventually, Greenwich, Connecticut where he met the love of his life, or in his words, “his honey”. Within a short time of dating, Barbara and Joel married in 1973. At the time, Joel worked in dealer sales for Spalding Sporting Goods. Upon a promotion to Northeast Regional Manager, he was relocated to his home state of New Jersey. Joel and Barbara eventually found their forever home in Eatontown. Joel was a man of service and his extended family was his community. He was instrumental in building the 80 Acres Little League field where he enjoyed coaching and watching his sons and their friends play ball. Joel ran for town council in Eatontown and was an active member of the Eatontown Lions and Elks Clubs. Most active in the Lions Club, he could be found year in and year out selling trees at the Christmas tree lot, flipping pancakes at the holiday pancake breakfast fundraisers, and golfing in the Annual Phil Wellington Golf Outing. One of his greatest legacies is the dedication and love he put into the greater community through his volunteerism at the Eatontown Food Cooperative. He took great pride in organizing, inventorying, and showing up every other Wednesday to provide food to those in need. Joel truly adored his family. He commented many times how he was the luckiest man to have “his honey”. He treasured his time out on the golf course with his son, Toby, and he and his son, Jamie, were two peas in a pod, in looks and laughs! He was so grateful for his daughter-in-law, Stephanie, for raising his grandchildren in a loving, warm home. As Joel grew older, some of his favorite memories were get-togethers with his daughter-in-law’s family. The Rotts and Starks became one unified family. No gathering was without good food, contagious laughs, some deep discussions on current events, warm hugs, and lighthearted walks down memory lane. Services will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 2-4 and 7-9 at Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Rd., Tinton Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eatontown Lions Club, P.O. Box 74, Eatontown, NJ 07724.

Joel Edward Stark

March 11, 1939 - March 19, 2023