Joseph Stanley Surman, Sr., or “Pinky” as he was affectionately known, died on Tuesday, April 3, 2019 at his lifelong home in South Amboy, N.J., the home in which he grew up as a child and subsequently remodeled by hand in 1982. He was born on December 5, 1940 to his parents, Joseph Surman and Margaret Surman. Pinky was little brother to sisters Florence Gangemi and Dolores Burkshot. He was big brother to his sisters Carol Masterson and Deborah Shwiner. He attended Sacred Heart School in South Amboy before enrolling in vocational school. Upon completion, he proudly worked for over 25 years as a millwright with E.I. DuPont in Parlin, N.J. Pinky is believed to hold the unofficial record for most consecutive double-shifts worked at the facility. Most DuPont employees knew Pinky for his colorful safety shoes, which he commonly spray-painted to reflect upcoming holidays - most likely in violation of DuPont policies and procedures.
Pinky married his wife Jadwiga in 1980 in South Amboy. The couple honeymooned at the luxurious Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J. In 1982, he welcomed a son, Joseph, Jr., also known as “P.J.”, “sonny boy”, and sometimes “kid.” In 1994, Pinky left DuPont, but not before his work vehicle caught fire under suspicious circumstances. Despite rumors to the contrary, a thorough investigation subsequently cleared him of all wrongdoing. Pinky concluded his work career with Procter & Gamble in Dayton, N.J. where he was named High Performance Work System Employee of the Month in 1998 despite nearly severing his finger in a piece of machinery and heroically driving himself to the hospital.
He was forced into disability and then early-retirement after more than 30 years of intense and backbreaking physical labor. As a result of his hard-work, Pinky was able to provide loan-free education to his son P.J. at both Rutgers University and Rutgers School of Law. He spent retirement around his home, fixing lawnmowers, snowblowers, and anything else he could find. Pinky enjoyed feeding squirrels in his backyard, early morning trips to Shop Rite, all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster, watching cowboy movies at full volume, backyard discussions with his neighbor Barry, and fishing with his friend Ron. He spent his remaining years with his loving wife of 38 years, who faithfully cared for him and loved him up until his final moments.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 am at Spezzi Funeral Home in Parlin, N.J. from 10am to 12 noon, including a brief Catholic prayer service and a eulogy by his son. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Pinky’s name to The International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (www.iwmf.com).