Joseph MacKenzie

Surrounded by his family, Joseph MacKenzie of Riverside, NJ, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 18th at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees Township, NJ.

Whether you knew him as Joe, Bub, Ish or Mac, the one thing you could be certain of, he was all about his family first and always. Fairly certain that he knew everyone originally from Riverside or ‘Swamp Poodle’ and loved the ‘Old Neighborhood’. He was active in just about everything, from the VFW to the American Legion to the Turners of Riverside, where he threw shoes, quoits and played basketball. He had an unrelenting work ethic, but always made it look easy. He instilled the same work ethic in his family. He was employed at Hoeganaes for 34 years.

Bub lived a life of faith; in a pew every Sunday and Holy Day at either St. Peter’s in Riverside or St. Francis on LBI. If there was a place where he was his happiest, it had to be Long Beach Island, walking the beach with a cigar. He celebrated as well as suffered with the Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and Eagles; when it went bad, he’d turn the Birds off at half time and go for a walk. He was overjoyed to witness an Eagles Super Bowl win earlier this year. A maestro behind the grill, he cooked a mean sausage and the perfect burger. Bub was a 1946 graduate of Palmyra High School and attended Drexel University. He fought for our freedom in Korea, earning two bronze stars and the Combat Infantry Badge.

He is survived by the love of his life, Alveretta, “Sis”. They shared a wonderful 64 year marriage, blessed by 4 children: Joe Jr. (Carmen), Candy (Mark) Temple, Bob (Suny) and Jill (Stephen) MacKenzie-Suckling. As a dad, he never missed an event; a dedication that continued with his 6 grandchildren (Lauren, Sean, Aaron, Scott, Allison, and Alice). He was pre-deceased by his sisters, Helene Marinelli and Constance Ryan.

Joe’s family will celebrate his 89 years privately. Donations in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (Alz.org) will be appreciated.