Known affectionately to his fellow firefighters as “Zap,” Joseph worked in a number of firehouses throughout the city, including Engine Co. 69 in Harlem and Engine Co. 306 in Bayside, Queens.
Born and raised in New York City on Jan. 21, 1937 to parents Joseph and Loretta Prendergast, he attended Manhattan’s La Salle Academy and graduated in 1955.
At age 19, Joseph enlisted in the Army and shipped off to Korea, where he served along the Demilitarized Zone on the heels of the Korean War.
Upon returning home, he joined the FDNY in 1960 as a probationary firefighter and went on to earn the rank of lieutenant before retiring in 1988.
Joseph is survived by his wife Frances and four children; Alice, Joseph, John and Daniel.
His funeral will take place at 10:15 a.m. Monday at St. Kevin's Church in Flushing before being laid to rest at Mount St. Mary's Cemetery.
