Joseph William Goertz

Joseph passed away peacefully on October 31, 2021 at his home in Whiting. Joe is survived by his wife of 21 years, Elena, his four children Alexa (16), Joey (14), Nicole (14) and Ryan (14), mother, Patricia J. Gordon and her husband Robert Gordon, siblings, Mary Goertz-Mey and her husband Roger, Patricia "Mickey" Loren, Jane Coughran and her husband Robert and William Goertz and his wife Bonnie, mother-in-law, Luisa Moran, sister-in-law, Debra Wysokowski and her husband Ray, brother-in-law, John Moran and his wife Jennifer, six nieces, four nephews and one great niece. He is predeceased by his father Joseph A. Goertz Jr. and father-in-law, John Moran and was described by the police department as being a “proud family man, nurturing husband and an amazing father.”

A post about him on the Lakewood Township Police Department website noted that “his family always came first and he made sure that it was known his best accomplishments in life were to being lucky enough to marry his beautiful wife Elena and being a father to four great children.”

He was also a well known bowler, winning many tournaments, becoming a member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and was recently inducted to the Lakewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame and Ocean County (USBC) Association Hall of Fame. Some of his bowling trophies are on display at the Lakewood Historical Museum.

Joe was hired in May of 1998 by the police department, assigned badge #251 and was one of 14 Lakewood recruits that began their career at the Ocean County Police Academy Class 70. After he graduated, he was assigned to the patrol division and during the course of his career he moved up in the department.

Joe joined the Special Response Team which was made up of highly trained and skilled officers to respond to critical incidents.

He was promoted in 2006 to the rank of Sergeant and to the rank of Lieutenant in 2013. He was promoted to Captain in 2016.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects Friday, November 5, 2021 from 11AM-1PM at the Lakewood Blue Claws Baseball Stadium, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Funeral Service will be held Friday, November 5, 2021 at 1:30PM at the stadium. Interment to immediately follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Joe's memory to the Lakewood PBA Local 71, 231 Third St. Lakewood, NJ 08701, ATTN: Joseph Goertz Athletic Scholarship Fund.