Township Mourns Joseph Cisco, Extends Counseling to Public Works Employees

Officials continue to mourn as well as investigate while at the hydraulic controls of a box truck on Friday.

Police reported Joseph Cisco, 52, was crushed and died from a head injury around 1:30 p.m. Friday at the township leaf composting facility, Whitesville Road. Officials said a mandatory investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was under way.

After beginning the Tuesday Township Council meeting with a moment of silence for Cisco, each of the council members and Mayor Thomas Kelaher offered condolences. Kelaher said the accident was under investigation, but that neither faulty equipment nor safety violations were discovered.

“On Monday we had an inspection by OSHA, everybody seemed to be satisfied that there were no safety violations, no issues with conduct,” Kelaher said. “So far it just appears to be a tragic accident. He was alone, no eyewitnesses.”

Public officials could not recall the last time an on-the-job fatality occurred among township employees, or whether it was unprecedented.

“The employees I have spoken with who have been here for a long time do not recall an on the job fatality at all,” said Township Administrator Paul Shives.

Director of Public Works Louis Amoruso agreed.

“I am unaware of any industrial accident resulting in the death of an employee,” said Amoruso, who is also the township’s assistant business administrator.

Shives and Amoruso joined a counselor from the Township's employee assistance program, to meet with staff and employees on March 18.

“I have continued meeting with DPW employees on Saturday both on an individual basis and in mass on Monday to address their concerns, provide support and reinforce the availability of employees assistance services for those desiring same,” Amoruso said in an email interview.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, each of the council members shared their condolences.

“He was a hard worker, and dedicated. You couldn’t ask for a finer employee,” said council vice president Brian Kubiel, who also commended the township administration for their response to the incident.

Councilwoman Maria Maruca said a local family and the township family are both tremendously impacted by the loss.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to the Public Works family. These guys are truly a team over there,” Maruca said. “It was heart wrenching.”

Cisco worked for the township for 33 years. Amoruso described him as a meticulous employee, dedicated to doing the best job, safely.

Born in Neptune, Cisco lived in Toms River for all of his life.

He enjoyed spending time hiking with his son, riding his motorcycle and everything outdoors, according to his

Surviving is his wife of 25 years, Donna O'Brien Cisco; son, Kyle currently serving in the Air Force, of Toms River; daughter, Amber Cisco of Toms River; father, Alfred and his wife Joanne of Greenwood, Del.; two brothers, Alfred "Ditto" and his wife Joy of Dallas, Tex.; and William of Toms River; and mother-in-law, Margaret O'Brien of Toms River.

The family is encouraging donations in Cisco’s name to Kevin's Kids, 2759 Ridgeway Road, Manchester, NJ 08759.