Obituary of Joseph Cygler
Joseph Cygler (89) passed away on June 15, 2024, with his oldest daughter by his side. Joseph (known as Joe or Cyg to his close friends) was born on January 25, 1935, in Rahway, and was a lifelong resident of New Jersey, ultimately settling in Basking Ridge.
During his Rahway High School years, Joe was recognized for his athletic talent. He caught the attention of West Point Military Academy and was recruited by Vince Lombardi to play football for West Point. In addition to playing running back at West Point, Joe was also on the West Point basketball and baseball teams. He graduated in 1957 with an engineering degree, but the ties he made at West Point endured the test of time.
After West Point, Joe honorably served five years in the United States Army and was primarily stationed in Germany, rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After Joe was honorably discharged, he started his sales career at IBM, where he quickly met his wife-to-be, Joyce (Puelo) Cygler. Joe and Joyce were quickly engaged in June 1963 and married in November 1963. They celebrated 60 years of matrimony before Joyce passed in June 2023.
Consistent with his love for sports, Joe enjoyed playing tennis and golf, and you would often find him watching sports and enjoying a “good game” no matter who was playing.
While there is no doubt that his love for his country was paramount, he had an even greater accomplishment - his family. Joe is survived by two daughters, Noreen Capo of Basking Ridge, NJ, and Karen (Scott) Beaver of Hampstead, NC, who often bragged that Joe was the “best dad ever.” Joe is also survived by his three grandchildren, Alexandra Capo, Samantha Capo, and Michael (MJ) Beaver (who has an unmistakable resemblance to his grandfather), many golf and tennis partners, and of course, the West Point community.
Joe is predeceased by his wife, Joyce M. (Puelo) Cygler, his mother Mary (Leba), father Peter Cygler, and brother Michael Cygler.
To celebrate his Russian Orthodox upbringing, there will be a mass at Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Christian Church in his childhood hometown of Rahway at 211 West Grand Avenue on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 10:00 am.
At a future date, Joe will take Joyce on one last journey to their final resting place, the Old Cadet Chapel Columbarium at West Point Cemetery (West Point, NY), dedicated to those who served in the United States Military Academy.