Joseph Hilla, 84, of Clifton passed away February 13, 2011. Born in Garfield, Joseph lived there before moving to Clifton 55 years ago.

Joseph attended Garfield High School where he was a member of two championship football teams in the early 1940's. During World War II, Joseph served in both the US Merchant Marine and the US Marine Corp. Joseph proudly served on two aircraft carriers, the USS Randolph (CV 15) and the USS Coral Sea (CVB 43). Joseph worked for Becton Dickinson in Rutherford for 38 years in Quality Assurance and Government Sales, retiring in 1989. He was a former President of the BDAA Retirement Club, a member of the Athenia Veterans Post, Clifton, and a member and Sergeant at Arms of the Deriter Club, Clifton.

A parishioner of St. Clare's RC Church, Clifton, for over 55 years, Joseph served as an Usher and was a member of the Holy Name Society. After retirement, he was a volunteer driver for the Rutherford Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Beloved husband of Virginia (Rhoads). Devoted father of Jacqueline Vitale and her husband Angelo of Hamden, CT, Jeffrey and his wife Kathleen of Marlboro, and Dr. James and his wife Gwen of Knoxville, TN. Loving grandfather of Ryan, Evan and Megan Hilla, and Angelo and Michael Vitale.

Funeral Friday 9 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 10 AM at St. Clare's RC Church. Interment, St. Mary's Cemetery, Saddle Brook. Visiting Thursday 2-6 PM. www.shookfh.com