Joseph J. Kmet, 78, died at home on Sunday, March 3, 2013, after a long illness with ALS. Funeral services will begin at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 U.S. Highway 202 South, Branchburg, N.J. 08876 (908) 526-7638, with 12:30 p.m. services at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 300 Union Ave., Somerville, N.J. Interment will follow in Somerset Hills Memorial Park, Basking Ridge, N.J. Viewing hours are Tuesday, March 5, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. www.BranchburgFuneralHome.com
Born in Newark, N.J., Joe was a former resident of Raritan, N.J., and Union, N.J., before moving to Medford, N.J., eight months ago. Mr. Kmet graduated from Rutgers in 1957 with a B.S. in accounting and was a certified tax collector and municipal finance officer. Prior to his tenure as tax collector and treasurer, Joseph worked for the Union County Treasurers office as an accountant. Joseph was past president of the Tax Collector and Treasurers Association of Union County; Union Township Optimist Club, and past president of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and was a member of the church council of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Somerville, N.J. He was past chairman for the March of Dimes and past president of the Union Township Democrat Club. Joe was honored in 1968 as Union Township Democrat of the Year. He was chairman of the 1976 bicentennial celebration; treasurer for the Believe in America and the 175th birthday celebration committees, and the Salute to American Flag Parade. He was also a member of Union Elks Lodge No. 1583, Municipal Finance Officers Association, and past president for Raritan Borough Democrat Club. Joseph coached Teener League Baseball, served on the Boys Club, Pop Warner, Midget Football, Jaycees, Girls Club, and the Grandstand Gang. As tax collector, Joe initiated short term investment programs, Union Mini Bonds, sale of municipal bonds directly to residents without a broker. He also instituted the once a month payment of bills and computerization of tax bills. Upon winning his second election and getting tenure, he won every election district in town. Joe enjoyed traveling to Italy, France, Spain, Hawaii, and Aruba.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Milan Kmet, in 2001. Surviving are his beloved wife of 47 years, Connie Padlak Kmet; his loving son, Stephen Kmet and his wife, Jacquelyne, of Hainesport, N.J.; his loving daughter, Suzanne Kmet Diaz and her husband, William, of Bridgewater, N.J.; his four cherished grandchildren, Nicholas and Victoria Diaz, and Kayleigh and Jack Kmet.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s memory to the ALS Foundation of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, Pa. 19002.
