January 2, 1942 - August 12, 2022
Joseph M. "Pop" Kustrup Jr., born on January 2, 1942, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2022, at the age of 80 in the company of his loving family. Born in Trenton, Pop spent most of his life in the Hamilton Township area before settling in Burlington County. Pop had many interests and joys but his one true calling in life was to be the patriarch of his family. He was a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was the stable center, loving leader, and the glue that kept his family together.
Pop was an exceptionally hard working family man. He worked for The Trenton Times newspaper for 42 years retiring as their transportation manager. He always made time to watch his children compete in sporting events, packed school lunches, and he attended every dance recital. Pop was a talented golfer, having won numerous amateur tournaments and trophies. He was extroverted, funny, and kind hearted. A man who made friends everywhere he went and filled every room he entered with his incredible booming laugh. The last words he spoke as he passed were "Daddy loves you". He was a good man, and he will be greatly missed.
Pop was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Agnes Kustrup; his older brother, Robert Kustrup; his beautiful daughter, Gloria Lorene Kustrup; and his grandson James "Boomer" Walton; he is survived by his high school sweetheart, wife, and true love of his life for 62 years Gloria; his younger brother, Ronald Kustrup and wife June; his daughter, Dawn Walton and husband Jim of Columbus, NJ, and their children, Erin and husband Kyle, Jaimie and husband Chuck, Kylie, Kortnie, Kacie, Korey, Adam; his son, Brian Kustrup and wife Ana Maria of New York City, and their daughter Chiarabell; and his five great grandchildren, Jase, Kade, Rhys, Peyton and Konnor. He is also survived by his childhood best friend and lifelong golfing buddy Harry Barber, as well as scores of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A celebration of Pop's life will be held, starting with visiting hours Wednesday, August 17, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home, 2141 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ 08610.
Funeral services will begin Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. at the Buklad-Merlino Memorial Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at
Raphael- Holy Angels Parish, 3500 South Broad Street, Hamilton.
Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pop’s honor to the James “Boomer” Walton Memorial Scholarship Fund, 525 White Pine Road, Columbus, NJ 08022.
Send a flower arrangement to the family →
Please sign our guestbook
Leave a tribute or memory in the comments area, below.
Going to miss Uncle Joe. Most of my memories were from when I was young. He was always a really fun Uncle. He had a good life, leading and amassing a huge family. He set a great example for the rest of us.