My condolence to the Holden family. I worked with Joe in Burlington Township and always enjoyed his sense of humor and dedication to the students and staff. Joe was proud of his family and was  easy going but professional. May God grant him eternal rest and bless his family.

Mr. Holden was a wonderful person and I had the privilege to be a student in his class and found him to be an excellent teacher as well .

My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Terri (Shinn) Ochipinti 

Joe was a wonderful man.  He was a devoted husband and father.  He loved being with his family.  He was always kind, and a devout catholic.  He had a wonderful sense of humor.  He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.  

In the span of my life there are only a special few individuals whom I have cared enough to share my thoughts on their passing.  Joe Holden is one these.  I first met Joe in 1965 on a bus ride through Burlington Township for all first-year teachers at the recently opened high school.  Joe and I sat side by side. We struck up a conversation as to how we had reached this point on our lives.  During that one hour ride I learned much about the man who would become my lifelong friend.  I learned that he was from a loving upstate Pennsylvania family, that his father had played for the Phillies, that he as I had been in the military, that he was to teach business courses, that he wanted to be a baseball coach at the school and that there was a woman in his life by the name of Amelia whom he later would marry.  By the end of the ride, we had become friends. 
While at Burlington Township Joe demonstrated a caring professionalism first as a teacher and later as an administrator.  In these roles I am certain there were many challenges, but throughout his life he met them all with a very upbeat personality and a smile.  As a result, he earned the respect of his students and his colleagues.
Joe was the consummate family man, he loved his wife, his three sons and their families dearly.  His love for his wife was always evident whenever we were with them.  He affectionately would call her “Doll”, which was his special way of referring to Amelia.  At the same time, even though we only saw his children and their children occasionally, we knew all about them.  Joe would always let us know how proud he was of every member of his family.   His family certainly appreciated his love and it showed as they rallied about him as he faced his many medical issues at the end. 
Joe, you will be missed so much by all those you touched while you were here.  You have lived a life of which you can be proud.  Your friendship and caring meant so much to all of us, especially to me.  


I am so sad to hear of his passing. He was my mentor when I first became vice principal at the Burlington Township Middle School. Joe show me the ropes about how to be a good administrator.  He was a good friend, and once I became principal, I called on him many times for advice.  RIP my friend.  🙏🏿  Larry Penny former Vice Principal and Principle of the Burlington Township Middle School - Burlington Township New Jersey

Doll, Craig, Joey, and Brian,

No matter how much your Dad is at peace, you are yet to heal.  Take time to remember him as you live your life in love of your family. Joe, was a family man and and good Dad, he took pride in your lives and he had a smile on his face every time he talked about any of you.  I’ll always remember him like that fondly.   Peace to all of you,  Love Laurie 

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Holden. Not only was he an outstanding educator, he was a great man and had sincere passion for helping and motivating students and any person who met him. He loved coaching and was a great motivator in helping the players to do well.

Please accept my condolences and my prayers go out to his entire family and loved ones. He will be missed by the many people who had met Mr. Holden and were influenced by his sincere kindness and compassion. 

Sincerely,

Kevin Muni


My deepest n sincere condolences to your family!! Big Joe was n is a fabulous great man!! I will always have fabulous memories of your pops!! Again my deepest condolences to your family!! Roger Babula!! Class of 1981!! Go Falcons 

I worked with Joe for many years at Burlington Township.  Joe was always the utmost professional and treated kids and co-workers with respect.  He was an excellent administrator and saw the positive side of many difficult issues.  He was rational, hard-working, and patient.  Joe was the go-to guy who knew how to get things done.  I was so sorry to see him retire, but I knew that he wanted to spend more time with his loving family.   He loved his three boys and loved his wife.  Joe was a great man in all of the important ways.  

I'll never forget:  On June 20, 1986, the Burlington Township Board of Ed hired me as School Business Administrator.  I drove into the high school parking lot on the morning of June 21 to start my first day on the job.  I hadn't met anyone in the Burlington Township community yet- and wasn't even sure where my office was.  As I was getting out of my car, Joe met me and introduced himself - he promptly asked me (and provided research documentation) for an increase in the Business Department budget so some students could take advantage of a summer business education program that could help them - we laughed about that parking lot meeting for many years.  That was the kind of educator Joe was- he would do anything to help students.  

RIP to a man who was admired by all who had the pleasure to know him.

Mr. Holden was one of the good guys.  He truly cared for others and was the kindest person.  Mr. Holden meant a lot to Burlington Township and he will never be forgotten.  Thank you for 35 years of service to the children, staff and community.  

Liz Scott
Former Student and colleague

OBITUARY

Joseph Francis Holden Jr.

6 July, 1940 – 30 November, 2022

Wm. Rowen Grant Funeral Home Inc.

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