Joseph A Valdes

Joseph A. Valdes, of Jamesburg, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.  He was 70.  Born on Long Island and raised in Hicksville, Joe lived in North Brunswick before moving to Jamesburg in 1998.

Joseph was a civil engineer, working in areas from Alaska to Wall Street, and he specialized in parks and soil conservation for the County of Middlesex, where he worked for over 25 years.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and his master’s degree from The University of Maryland at College Park.

Joe was a wonderful musician, first taking up the clarinet as a child, and his love for music never wavered.  He played clarinet as a member of bands such as the Rutgers University Alumni Wind Symphony, the Imperial Concert Band, the Union Band, and Rouge et Noir Clarinets.  When not playing music, he enjoyed gardening, fishing and sailing.  His wife affectionately called him “Mr. Fix It,” for his penchant for repairing and restoring elements of the historic house in which they lived.  In addition, he volunteered for the local Jamesburg Library, and served on the Trustee Board.  But most of all, Joe was known for his kindness and his generosity; Joe was a gentle soul.

He's predeceased by his parents Emil and Helen (Keane) Valdes, and his brother John Valdes.

Surviving is his wife Anna Aschkenes; his step-daughter Deborah Aschkenes of Tuckahoe, NY; his sisters Marie Valdes and Teresa Valdes-Hebrank (John) of Poughkeepsie; his nieces Beth Hebrank (Nancy) of Poughkeepsie, NY and Jessica Hebrank (Julie) of Norwalk, CT; and his nephews, Benjamin Balin (Gabi) of Charleston, SC and Jack Bailin (fiancee Stephanie) of Philadelphia, PA.

Friends and relatives may call on Friday, January 12, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm and 5:00 – 7:00 pm at The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St. at Riva Avenue, Milltown.  A Blessing will be held on Friday during the visitation at 2:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joseph’s honor to two causes for which he cared deeply: the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research  www.michaeljfox.org, or PBS www.pbs.org.