Joseph F. Cichalski, 79, passed away on August 2, 2023 after a fulfilling life. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, Joe grew up in South River. He was a graduate of South River High School, class of 1962, earned a BA degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a master’s degree from Kean University.
Joe began substitute teaching shortly after graduation and found his calling. Over the next 37 years, he taught grades 3-6, both as a regular classroom teacher and as a basic skills math specialist, where he was known as “Math Man” to his colleagues and students. Joe’s humor and patience served him well in his career. He loved his work and his students, and he retired from the Manalapan-Englishtown School District in 2006.
Joe’s passions can be summed up as: Family, Friends, Fishing, and Football. He and his wife, Joan, settled in Little Silver and enjoyed 47 years there raising their two children. Joe served on the Little Silver Board of Education for 12 years and was a volunteer at the library for many years. He was also a frequent volunteer at Embury United Methodist Church, especially at their pie makes each fall.




