Joseph Samuel Jr.

One of a kind, genuine, quiet strength, and dimples. To know Joey was to know this was him and much more. After a courageous battle with a short-term illness, Joseph Samuel, Jr. went on to be with our mighty and matchless God on November 18, 2020. Joseph, also known as Joe, Joey, or JoJo was born to his loving parents Joseph Samuel, Sr and Sharon Samuel on August 4th, 1990 in Trenton, NJ. After a few years of being the only child to his mom and dad, the Lord blessed their family with the expansion of his siblings Jeremy Samuel and Chantal Samuel.

Some children struggle with the adjustment of additional siblings; but this was not Joey. He was purposed to be an amazing older brother and went above and beyond in his duty and role. Whether picking Jeremy and Chantal up from school, drop-offs in addition to pick-ups to the mall, homework tutor and generous gifts, Joey was always there for his family. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, he was his mom’s dutiful prep cook and summers were spent helping his dad with errands of the household. His actions always spoke louder than his words. With just one look over his glasses, Joey would stop a siblings feud. Also, with one word or look from Joey the three of them would burst out in laughter about inside jokes they shared. Their bond with Joey was a dynamically special one. His younger brother and sister often joked that after Joey, they don’t know what happened. The patience and quietness Joey exhibited was not their strong suit. He embodied the attributes of a leader in addition to being dependable, polite, intelligent, and funny. He loved listening to music, cooking, video games, and was a Cowboys fan.

Joey navigated school with ease, at a young age he would read newspapers, and as a result had an advanced vocabulary for his age. He matriculated through Parkway Elementary School, Fisher Middle School, Ewing High School, and Mercer County Community College. Always having an ability to understand how things functioned and how to troubleshoot, it was no surprise when Joey became a Tech Specialist for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District. He faithfully served in the role for seven years. Even as Joey managed his own health matters, he was influential in launching virtual instruction, and support for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District at the onset of the pandemic. He was strong; never complaining about his physical condition. To ask Joey how he was feeling physically, you would get one simple response, “Am alright”. His compassion and largeness of heart for others had no bounds. Even as Joey endured the battle of his life, he was always concerned with how others were doing. He faithfully sent Sunday sermons from his online church services to family members. Joey’s life represented a fullness of the fruits of spirits and a living epistle to be read by all people.

His name, Joseph speaks to the nature of how he was beautifully and wonderfully made in the womb of his mom and how he would proudly embrace the legacy of being named after his dad. The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means “God will increase” or “He will add”. In Joey’s fulfilled 30 years of life he added kindness, humility, humor, and selflessness into the world. His name will not be forgotten, because he added beauty to our lives that can now continue to be shared with everyone we meet. 2 Corinthians 5:8 states, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Joey was saved and made his calling and election sure. In this we have hope that we will see him again, transformed and with the King of Kings. Just as he lived, so he died. He was our gift, but God’s beloved son. Joey has joined his deceased grandfather Jean William Sylvere Warno, and baby brother Justin Samuel. He is survived by his parents Joseph Samuel Sr and Sharon Samuel, his brother Jeremey Samuel, and sisters Chantal Samuel, and Yolanda St Mark, grandparents Angella Meidor, Eugene Meidor, Agnes Warno, and an immense number of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins in St. Lucia, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Anguilla, and abroad. Joseph Samuel Jr left an indelible mark in the world that cannot be removed. To be kind to others, to be a peacemaker, to place the needs of others before your own, to lovingly say, “How are you doing?”, is to remember Joey and his life of immeasurable kindness to everyone he met. In the words of his grandmother Agnes Warno, “Joey, we love you, love you, love you, and will forever love you.”

A heartfelt thank you to his family at the Hopewell Valley School District, his chemo nurses at Capital Health hospital, Dr. Patel, Dr. Taceen, nurses in the ICU, his neighbors Nacone and Chad Martin, Keith, Cathy and family, Bryan, Bill and Precilla Richard, Bob and Joyce, Cathy Sobon, Dave and Donna Collins.

                     We are in over our heads on this, so whatever you must do to bring it together, feel free!

                                                                                             Thank you,

                                                                                          Sharon Samuel

Services will be 9-11am Friday, December 4, 2020 at the Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. Interment will be at Ewing Cemetery, Ewing, NJ. 

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