Joseph D

Conklin

Joseph Dennis Conklin, 77, died peacefully with his family by his side on the morning of May 4, 2025. Joseph was born in Jersey City, NJ to Gaeta Grisi and Evan Conklin on May 8, 1947. He was the youngest of four siblings Charles, Patricia, and Robert Conklin. In his youth, he attended Holy Family High School, where he was always known as the Class Clown and Class Cupid of the school. He went on to proudly earn his degree at NJCU and pursued a career as an educator in Union City. Before retiring in 2005, he began his career at Robert Waters Elementary School in Union City, NJ as a kindergarten and ESL teacher, and later went on to be a first grade teacher and Drama Facilitator at Woodrow Wilson Performing Arts School, formerly in Weehawken, NJ. Mr.Conklin was greatly loved and admired by his students and fellow faculty. Not only was Joseph known for his achievements as an educator, he was also known for his contributions to community theater. In 1983, Joseph and his fellow colleagues founded The Park Players at the Park Theater in Union City. During the past 40 years, Joseph had led The Park Players as Chairperson through their musicals, concerts, and dinner theatre performances. He also contributed his time and compassion for theater as a reviewer and former board member for the NJACT Perry Awards and as a reviewer for Papermill Playhouse's Rising Star Awards. Besides his many achievements, Joseph was known for his many Broadway trips, his love for his kitties, and his restaurant outings. Despite not having any children of his own, he was a godfather to many and known as everyone's "Uncle Joe". He was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, and his Auntie Rie. He is survived by his husband John Fiorenza, his sister Patricia Johnson, his nieces Trisha (Jorge) Johnson and Melissa Gaeta, and cousin Lenny (Sharon) Wolpert, his kitties Norma and Toddy, and many other loving family and friends.