Condolences to the Colca Family – Former Clifton Fire Chief

FMBA 21 would like to express condolences to retired Fire Chief Joseph Colca and Family.

Colca, Joseph S., 89 of Clifton, passed away on February 15, 2016. He was born on May 3, 1926, lived in Clifton most of his life. His parents were Charles and Jennie (Elmo) Colca. He graduated high school in 1941. He married his childhood sweetheart in 1947 and had three loving children, Joseph & his wife Susan of Doylestown, PA, Kathryn & her husband Anthony Miragliotta of Clifton and Jane Colca of Riverdale. Grandfather of Joseph, Erin, Michela, Ryan and Lyndsay. Great Grandfather to Emma, Lucas, James, Connor, Giana, Joseph & Evelyn. Dear brother to Charles Colca Jr. of Pequannock and the late Rosalie Lambert. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He joined the Armed Forces after graduating school and served as a Sergeant in the Air Force, he was a Veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. He worked at the Passaic Post Office for 11 years before joining the Clifton Fire Department retiring as Fire Chief. He loved his job and his fellow men who respected him with dignity always. He loved music and made many CDs for his friends, he loved to entertain and cook and his specialty was the sausage bread which everyone loved.
He was a man with dignity and pride and will forever be remembered. He never complained and enjoyed life to the fullest. If you knew him you would love him. He was the heart and soul of our family.

He was a member of the FMBA Local #21, the Firemen’s Relief Association in Clifton, the Leisure Time Friends, the St. Philip’s Prime Timers & The Knights of Columbus. Prior to becoming a Fireman he worked for the Postal service in the Passaic office for 11 years. Joseph was an Army Air Corps. Veteran of WWII and a parishioner of St. Philip the Apostle RC Church in Clifton.

Funeral from the Marrocco Memorial Chapel 470 Colfax Avenue Clifton on Friday at 9:15 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Philip the Apostle RC Church at 10 AM. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Visiting Wednesday 7-9 PM and Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. www.marroccos.com