Joe Nagy, who served Fanwood for many years as its unofficial historian and reliable all-around volunteer, turned 100 recently with a large family gathering and fond wishes from his friends here.
Joe and Claire Nagy in their Fanwood home in 2021
Joe and his wife Claire moved from their long-time home on Oakwood Court to an assisted living community in Hackettstown last year. His family gathered to celebrate Joe’s birthday on February 11th, a party complete with cake and dozens of good wishes from old friends including numerous cards from students at Brunner Elementary School.
Joe is a World War II veteran who served on active duty in the Army for four years, then 20 years in the Army Reserves while pursuing his full time career in the department store business. He retired from the military in 1966 as a Major. In Fanwood, he served on the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Scholarship Foundation board, the Historic Preservation Commission and volunteered for many other projects over the years.
In a letter to Joe, Mayor Colleen Mahr wrote, “My heartfelt thanks to you for the many contributions you have made to the Fanwood community for so many years. You have enriched the lives of countless residents and students and are a beloved institution here.”
Joe was joined at his party by his wife and three children, one of his three grandchildren and members of his extended family. He also has three great-grandchildren.
