Joseph F. Cabrera
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - Joseph F. Cabrera of Atlantic Highlands, NJ passed away on December 20, 2023 at home with his beloved wife Katie by his side.
Joe was born June 10, 1947 in Manhattan, NY to Felicita and Angel Luis Cabrera, the fourth of six children. In addition to many youthful adventures throughout New York City, he also fondly remembered time with his family on his uncle’s dairy farm in Puerto Rico. He attended and graduated from Immaculata High School and later obtained a bachelor’s degree from Baruch College of the City University of New York. In the spring of 1980, he met the love of his life, Katie Mulheren, when they were both working at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. This past June, they were thrilled to celebrate 40 years of marriage.
His greatest passion was his family, especially his children Damien (Leesburg, VA), Nina (Brooklyn, NY), Harris (Bloomfield, NJ) and Lucy (Atlantic Highlands, NJ) and his grandchildren, Max and Cecilia. He was exceedingly proud of all of his children’s accomplishments, no matter the size. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his children: at home watching movies, going down to the Atlantic Highlands boat ramp to take in the comings and goings, at Monmouth Park Racetrack every Father’s Day, taking marathon trips to Disney World, and so many other activities, mundane and special.
Described variously as “Joe,” “Dad,” “pater familias,” “Uncle Joe,” and “the Last Great American,” he was also a proud Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class, who held limitless admiration for all who served there and in the armed forces more broadly. He was a “veteran warrior” who met all challenges in his life with an unbelievable tenacity and persistence. No one fought harder than him when the call came, whatever the situation; he was, in many ways, the ultimate survivor. His family remembers him as one of the smartest, funniest, hardest working people imaginable. He was the most skilled storyteller, whether he was recounting tales from his youth or celebrity encounters from his decades in the hospitality industry, like the time he accidentally addressed Katie Couric as Sally Field…or the other time he accidentally addressed Katie Couric as Sally Field.
Although as a native Manhattanite he did not obtain a driver’s license until the age of 28, he made up for his late start by developing a strong love for — perhaps even an obsession with — vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and probably some others that they haven’t even thought of yet. He loved his longtime home of New Jersey, and when crossing the Atlantic Highlands or Oceanic Bridge, he would frequently remark how grateful he was to live in such a remarkably beautiful place. He had an abiding wonder for the natural world and was also prolific pet owner. He often noted that when the time came for him to leave this world, he hoped that when he got to Heaven, he would get to see what dinosaurs had really been like. Above all, he loved to share these and his other passions with his loved ones.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved siblings Junior, Yolanda, and Robert, and his brothers-in-law John and Karl.
In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, he is survived by his sister Irene Cabrera de Franck; his daughter-in-law Bree Cabrera and sonin-law Evan Fortune-Cabrera, whom he truly considered a second son; his doting in-laws Maureen Mulheren, Nancy Mulheren, Colleen and Bill Wood, Patty and Sam Skinner, and Michael Mulheren and Amanda Butterbaugh Mulheren; and literally dozens of cherished nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 26th from 4-7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, December 27th at 10 am at Holy Cross Church, 30 Ward Ave, Rumson, NJ 07760. Burial followed at Fair View Cemetery, 456 NJ-35, Red Bank, NJ 07701.Flowers may be sent to Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Memorial donations may be made to Fisher House Foundation, Inc., (www.fisherhouse.org).