Joseph Thomas Cerchiaro Jr., 74, passed away on Tuesday April 13, 2020. Born in Rahway. Joseph, was always an advocate for children. He began his teaching career at St. Mary's in Rahway. After that, he taught several years at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Elizabeth. He spent most of his tenure teaching special education at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights and retired after 26 years. He started coaching at the age of 17 and went on to coach baseball, basketball, and soccer. He won many championships including a state championship in Girls' Varsity Soccer. He coached that team in an international soccer competition in Denmark. Additionally, he served on the Long Hill Township Board of Education and was president of the Long Hill Township Little League. He was a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Stirling, where he lived most of his adult life. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph, Sr. and Rose DiPaola and by his siblings, Leo, Lou, Vincent, John, Lillian Martin, Carmela Frost and Thomas. He is survived by his former wife Sharon Armenti Cerchiaro, his sons Joseph Thomas, III (J.T.) and Nicolas, and his grandson Dax William as well as many nieces and nephews.