Obituary: Joseph Wilds, Retired Garwood Police Officer

Longtime Garwood Police Officer Joseph Wilds passed away on Friday, March 29, after battling stage four esophageal cancer. On Friday, the flags at Garwood's borough hall flew at half-staff to mark his passing.

The Garwood PBA had recently organized a benefit for Wilds set for April 4 at the Westwood at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to that event, the A Night For Joe benefit fund.

Obituary for Joseph Patrick Wilds Sr., courtesy Dooley Funeral Home:

Joseph Patrick Wilds Sr. passed away Friday, March 29, 2013 at Hunterdon Medical Center. Friends are invited to visit fom 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Dooley Funeral Home, 218 North Ave. West in Cranford, N.J.

Mr. Wilds lived all his life in Garwood, N.J., before moving to Flemington, N.J., 15 years ago. He was a Garwood police officer for 27 years and recently worked as a dispatcher for the department. He had also been a volunteer with the Garwood First Aid Squad and a member of the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Walsh Council of Garwood and of the Hunterdon County 4H Club.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 30 years, Wendy (Gilbertson) Wilds; three loving children, Joseph Patrick Jr. (Brooke Lerner), Jessica (Scott Zur) and Samantha and her husband, Robert Keyes, and eight devoted nieces and nephews, Robert, Jennifer, Lauren, Kelly, Nicole, Aliyah, Madison, and Victor Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the A Night For Joe benefit fund.