Joseph Patrick Weaver, World War II Veteran, Dies At 92

Courtesy of Bugbee Riggs Funeral Home

Joseph Patrick "Doc" Weaver - formerly of Barnegat, Waretown and Lake Worth Florida, died at Genesis Healthcare in Manahawkin on March 7. He was 92.

Joseph was born in Philadelphia on May 10, 1925 and grew up in and around Atlantic City. He graduated from Holy Spirit High School Class of 1943, and the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1949.

Joseph served in the US Navy during World War II. He met his wife Gertrude "Babe" Meeks, on New Year's Eve while bartending at his father's business, "The 19th Hole" in Absecon. They were married for 71 years.

"Doc Weaver" owned and operated Weaver's Pharmacy in Atlantic City in the 1950s and then the Barnegat Pharmacy from 1959-1968. He worked in many pharmacies in New Jersey and Florida over the years.

Mr. Weaver served on the Barnegat Board of Education and the Township Committee in the 1960s. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3826 and a 75-year member of John Wesley Taylor Post #232 of the American Legion.

He was also a lifetime charter member of the Barnegat Historical Society. Joseph was a devout Catholic and was a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Barnegat since 1959, where he served as alLectern for many years and belonged to The Holy Name Society. Joseph was a very charitable man, always donating to the less fortunate. He loved to travel, and will always be remembered for wearing red socks!

Mr. Weaver was predeceased by his parents Frank and Thelma, his brother Francis, his beloved daughter Margaret Ann Latvala in 2011, and beloved son Patrick Weaver in 2015. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Gertrude "Babe" (nee Meeks), and five daughters, Jo-Ann (Drew) Dringus, Barnegat, Doris (John) Shannon, Manahawkin, Lois (Fred) Sauchelli, Manahawkin, Patty (Steve) McGrew, Lake Worth, FL, Susan (Paul) Nugent of Orlando, FL, son Bill (Lainie) Weaver, Anacortes, WA, daughter-in-law Nadine Weaver, Manahawkin and a son-in-law Gary Latvala, Waretown. Joe is also survived by 21 grandchildren and their spouses and 34 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.. on Monday, March 12, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 747 West Bay Ave. Barnegat, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at St. Mary's Parish Cemetery in Manahawkin.

Arrangements are by Bugbee Riggs Funeral Home, 335 S. Main St. Barnegat. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ken's Kitchen, PO Box 609, Barnegat, NJ 08005. The family would like to thank the staff of Genesis for their wonderful care they gave Joe over the past four years.

Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock