Joey Edwards, age 17 years, of Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2024, with his parents by his side and under the caring watch of the loving team at Morristown Medical Center Goryeb Children’s Hospital after an eleven month battle with Osteosarcoma cancer.

Born on September 23, 2006, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ, son of Joseph and Gina Marozzi Edwards, he was a lifelong resident of Pittstown, NJ, and happily shared his birthday with his older twin siblings, Madison and Dominick.

Joey loved sports and working out. His first word was “ball.” From the time he could walk, he played every sport: soccer, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, snowboarding, and football. He enjoyed them all, but football and working out were his passions. Countless afternoons and weekends were spent at practices, and then Joey would head to the gym to train some more. There were many days where he would be at the gym for over six hours.

Hanging with his friends was something that brought a smile to his face daily, as it did with all those who knew him. Having an incredibly tight group of friends that were always together, they all rallied around him after his diagnosis and were supportive in every way humanly possible. The group loved going to the Jersey Shore, and each summer Joey’s whole family would go to Beach Haven on Long Beach Island for a week vacation. It was as if the entire island was taken over by kids from NHHS. They bounced from house to house the entire week, making memories to last a lifetime and then some. He loved and valued his friendships so very much, and each and every one of them made a permanent impression on his heart as he did on theirs.

Joey was a happy, funny, smart, empathetic, competitive, focused young man. In the winter, the family would make an annual pilgrimage out west to go snowboarding. He was fearless. Joey could always be found barreling down the mountain at full speed, ending in a cloud of snow. He was such a fun athlete to watch, and he did it all with his whole heart.

When Joey was sixteen years old, he complained that his left leg hurt. His parents told him to take a break from training and let his leg rest because he was going to football practice, then to a personal trainer, and then to the gym to work out as he was possibly overworking himself. Never a quitter, he instead tried to work through the pain. Shortly thereafter, at the end of a weekend of snowboarding, he again made mention that he was in pain. It was then everyone realized something was not right as Joey never complained.

On February 14, 2023, this brave and determined HERO was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma of his left femur which had already metastasized to his lungs. He went through nine months of grueling chemotherapy, as well as a major limb saving surgery; all of which he faced head on with his signature smile, never complaining about anything. Unfortunately, this type of cancer is extremely rare and there were no treatment options available to him that could be found. Together with his doctors, the family searched for clinical trials and any hospital that had anything to offer. Unfortunately, there was none yet to be found. Throughout it all, Joey remained positive and leaned on his friends and family for support.

Though his death is heartbreaking and unexplainable, Joey would want all those reading this to not be sad at his passing, but rather for everyone to pour their time on Earth into loving each and every person they meet, and spreading compassion and a smile wherever they go…to do anything besides that, is to not honor this young man who lived his life with ‘love’ as his moral compass.

After he died, a note was found on his phone where the following words were written and though the author is unknown, it could of perhaps been Joey himself, these words gave Joey hope; it is the family’s wish that these words inspire you each as well: “Life is really a gift, there shouldn’t be a second that passes by that you aren’t thankful to be on this planet because it’s truly a blessing. Your family and friends are so much more important than you think and you should cherish every moment you get with them. Keep the people you love close by because when you start going through something in life those are the people you will need to overcome it. Life isn’t fair at all, god plants obstacles in-front of you that are challenging because without it you will not grow. Everything happens for a reason and you might not know the reason for a while but it will be shown eventually. Take every day one by one and continue to grow yourself as a person.” Rest in the sweetest peace you so deserve, Joey.

In addition to his parents and twin siblings, Joey is survived by his paternal grandparents, Buddy and Theresa Edwards; his maternal grandmother, Sandra Marozzi; his maternal grandfather, Alfred and his wife, Kathy Marozzi; his aunts and uncles, Kenny Edwards, Anthony DiPaolo, Peter DiPaolo, Amy DiPaolo, Chris Marozzi, Kevin Stevens, Tricia Stevens, Jamie Marozzi, and Emma Marozzi; his cousins, Jacqueline DiPaolo, Anthony DiPaolo, Marco Marozzi, Alex Stevens, and Owen Stevens; several extended family members, and so many loving and caring friends made as he traveled his path of life.

The Edwards family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the ‘Angels on Earth’ who took such amazing care of Joey at Morristown Medical Center, including the oncology team of doctors, nurses, social workers as well as the entire staff; their kindnesses can never be captured with words.

Joey will lie in repose on Sunday, February 4, 2024, from 1:00-4:30 p.m., with a Vigil Service and words of reflection by family and friends beginning at 4:30 p.m., all in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. There is ample on-site parking at the funeral home, however due to the anticipated large crowds, a shuttle bus provided by Joey’s North Hunterdon High School Family will be running continuously from 1:00-5:15 p.m. on Sunday from the main parking lot of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, located at 84 Route 31, Flemington, NJ, just north of the funeral home. All those who are able are kindly asked to park at the high school and use the shuttle buses. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated by Joey’s family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2 White Bridge Road, Pittstown, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning beginning at 10:45 a.m., and to follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival for parking.

Interment will follow mass at Neshanic Cemetery, Hillsborough Township, NJ; again, all are welcome to join the family for the committal prayers.

For those unable to attend the services in person, the vigil service on Sunday will be live-streamed beginning at 4:00 p.m., as well as the mass and committal prayers on Monday beginning at 10:45 a.m. 

You are encouraged to visit Joey’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor and memory may be made to the Morristown Medical Center Foundation through the following link, which supports all the patients and their families being treated at Goryeb Children’s Hospital, who lovingly took care of Joey and his entire family. Please click HERE to be taken to the donation page. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated by the family.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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