Joseph R. (Dick) Read, age 94, passed away February 15, 2024 at Toms River Community Medical Center. Born September 12, 1929, Dick grew up in East Orange, NJ, where he attended Clifford J. Scott High School. Following his graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BSME, he accepted a position with The Elliott Co. of Jeanette, PA until called to active duty. He entered the service with a commission as 2nd Lt. in the US Army Corp of Engineers, serving at Fort Belvoir, VA, and in Korea. Upon release from active duty in 1953, Dick returned to The Elliott Co. as an applications engineer in their Los Angeles office.
In 1955, Dick returned to the east coast and joined the engineering firm of John C. Fellows & Son in Toms River. Working as a surveyor, engineer and planner, he obtained his professional licenses in all three disciplines, in New Jersey and several other states. Dick became a principal in the firm in 1959, as the firm then known as Fellows, Read & Weber grew to be one of the largest consulting firms in the shore area, with offices in New Jersey, Maryland and Florida. The firm merged with and became a subsidiary of Thermo Electron Corp of Waltham, MA in 1988. Dick remained with the company serving as Director of Operations, Vice President and later President until 1992, when he departed to form his own consulting firm. Dick continued to provide consulting services in forensic engineering, feasibility studies and general civil engineering matters.
Over the years, Dick has been active in the Boy Scouts, Rotary, Ocean’s Harbor House, Contact of Ocean County, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, and has served as an elder at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River. Since 2000, Dick has spent countless hours with the Habitat affiliate as they build affordable housing and repair homes for low income families throughout northern Ocean County. He has served as their Engineering and Construction Consultant as well as Treasurer and on the Board of Directors. In his spare time, Dick enjoyed golf.
Dick is predeceased by his parents, Joseph N. and Marion B. Read, his sister Eliner Patak, his son William Skorton, and his beloved wife Jeanne Read of 34 years in 2007. He is survived by his brother Alan of Seminole, FL, his children Steven and Shea of Prescott, AZ, Susan of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Rev. Linda Jones and Joseph of Clemmons, NC, James Skorton and Carole of Goose Creek, SC, Donna Loblein and John of Toms River, and Susan Capron and Paul of Island Height; grandchildren Joshua Jones and Emily Anne of Clemmons, NC, Meredith Humphrey and Darrell of Charlotte, NC, Christopher Skorton and Bahar of Richmond Hill, GA, Chaz Loblein and Kristin of Waretown, Hayley Loblein and Brandon of Rockville, MD, Chelsea Loblein of Toms River, Lindy Lowney and Patrick of East Greenwich, RI, Kelley Balogh and David of Franklin, MA, Holly Ausura and Christopher of Exeter, RI, Read Capron and Taylor of Scottsdale, AZ, Chase Capron of Boston, MA, and Roxanne Smith and Nick of Prescott, AZ; and great grandchildren Landon, Preston, Hudson, Ethan, Owen, Jackson, Beck, Welles, Luke, Quinn, Nolan, Leo, Liam, Myla, Atlas, Aiden and Randy and Lydia.
A memorial service will be held March 16th at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River at 1070 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753. Service begins at 1PM.
Anderson & Campbell Funeral in Toms River is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be entered at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/toms-river-nj/joseph-read-11668945.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s memory to Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, 1214 Rte 37 East, Toms River, NJ 08753.
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