Joseph “Cookie” Artale Jr.
Beloved Father, Grandfather, and Friend
Joseph “Cookie” Artale Jr., 95, of New York, passed away peacefully on Saturday at Bayshore Medical Center, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born and raised in Staten Island, Joseph graduated from Port Richmond High School before beginning a career at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. His entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to establish his own printing businesses, GemArt Associates and Artale Graphics, Inc., which he ran successfully alongside his children until retirement.
In 1949, Joseph married the love of his life, Eleanor, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and family. They raised their four children on Staten Island, creating a home that was always welcoming and full of cherished memories.
Joseph had a passion for the outdoors and spent many happy hours fishing, boating, and hunting. He proudly served as Commodore of the Staten Island Boat Club (PBBA), a role that reflected his love for the water and the friendships he built along the way. His happiest times, however, were spent at his home in upstate New York—his “favorite place.” Whether hosting garage sales or riding his beloved tractor between the house and the garage, Joseph found pure joy in the simple pleasures of country life.
Above all, Joseph’s greatest joy was his family. He treasured every moment with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Known lovingly as “Uncle Cookie” to his nieces and nephew and simply “Cookie” to his cousins, he touched the hearts of everyone who knew him with his warmth, humor, and kindness.
Joseph is predeceased by his parents, Alice and Joseph Artale; his wife, Eleanor Artale; and his brother, James Artale.
He is survived by his sister, Joan Leanza; his children: Sharon Fernandez and her husband Richard of Holmdel, Gerard Artale and Teresa Wilson of New York, Michael Artale and Jayne Calano of New York, and Jeanne Cipas and her husband Duane of Aberdeen. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Daniel Artale, Richard Fernandez and his wife Jen, Alison Rider and her husband Kenny, Kara Fernandez, Michael Artale and his wife Lori, Alex Artale and Alana Nicoletta; as well as his great-grandchildren: Emmy, Mari, Sophie, Maren, and Mila.
Joseph’s family invites loved ones to honor his life at a wake on Friday, January 31st, from 10:00-12:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Rd., Holmdel, NJ 07733. A Prayer service will follow at 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Joseph will be privately cremated, with his family carrying forward his legacy of love and devotion.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Joseph’s memory by spending time with your loved ones or enjoying a quiet moment in nature, as he so often did