Joseph P. Berenato Jr., 83, of Ocean City, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on November 15, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joseph was the beloved son of the late Joseph Berenato Sr. and Mary (Lupico) Berenato. As a young child, he moved to Camden, New Jersey, and would later meet the love of his life, Sharon Rose O’Donnell. Their bond became the foundation of a marriage that spanned nearly 60 years — a life built on love, hard work, and devotion to family.
Joseph proudly served in the United States Marine Corps, upholding the core values of honor, courage, and commitment throughout his life.
Together with Sharon, he raised their family in Washington Township before pursuing their dream of opening Berenato’s Corner Deli in Ocean City in 1989. More than a business, the deli was a community hub where Joseph was often found sitting and talking with customers who quickly became more like family. He worked side by side with his children and grandchildren, turning the deli into a family business.
Joseph lived a life centered on what mattered most: his family. He found joy in the simple things – taking walks with Sharon on Sanibel Island, pitching Wiffle ball games, building the “Disney Platform’’, and sharing family dinners – but nothing meant more to him than time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He especially cherished the annual family vacation to Disney, where the family made forever memories.
Joseph’s legacy lives on through the family he raised, the values he passed down, and the lives he touched.
He is reunited in eternal peace with his beloved wife, Sharon; his parents, Joseph Berenato Sr. and Mary (Lupico) Berenato; and his sister, Marie Marshall.
He is survived by his sister Elizabeth Brown (Gene); children Joseph Berenato and Sharon Cullen; grandchildren Neal Cullen (Katie), Melissa Carberry (Sean), Ryan Cullen (Corinne), Felicia Chelf (Joseph), Joseph Berenato, and Martina Berenato; and great-grandchildren Cole and Crew Carberry, and Amelia Chelf.
His Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at St. Frances Cabrini Church of St. Damien Parish, located at Second Street and Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, NJ. A graveside burial ceremony followed at Seaside Cemetery in Palermo.
Condolences to the family may be left at www.godfreyfuneralhome.com
