Bud Joy

On Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021, Morton (Bud) Joy entered eternal rest to join his beloved
wife, Maureen. His life in Monmouth County began in Atlantic Highlands, as the only son of Paul
and Lillian Joy, originally from Maine. As the youngest of four, his three sisters Gloria Joy Brown,
Nancy Joy Rauch and Mary Joy Carhart, established the tone for what his future would hold, a
life surrounded by a family of women who he adored and admired him.

Bud was a three sport varsity athlete at Atlantic Highlands High School, excelling at football,
baseball, and basketball. He attended Valley Forge Military Academy, where “The Correct Way”
was instilled and anyone who knew or met Bud throughout his lifetime would witness. He was a
gentleman in every sense of the word. Bud graduated from Upsala College and joined the family
business, Better Housekeeping Shop, in Red Bank, where he would spend his career as the
second generation owner of the home appliance establishment.

Bud was introduced to the Maine woods at a very early age and became an avid hunter, never
missing a hunting season for over seventy-five years. He enjoyed both the winter and summer
seasons on Plunkett Pond in Benedicta, Maine, where he and his family vacationed. In addition
to hunting and fishing, he was a scholar of history, a reading enthusiast, a lover of Marco Island,
a fan of the New York Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals, and an aficionado of all-things
streaming. With the assistance of his grandchildren, he became an expert navigator and the
“go-to” guy for the latest and greatest series or movies to watch!

Bud and Maureen’s love story began at the Sandlass Beach Club on Sandy Hook. They married
in 1960 and built their life and family in the early years in Atlantic Highlands and later in Colts
Neck. Their four daughters, Cynthia Joy, Patricia Joy Cundari, Diane Joy Belforti, and Elizabeth
Joy Sutphin, and their daughters’ families, were literally the “joys” of their lives, and the focus
and priority of what was truly the most important aspect and legacy of their life together- a
strong family. His son-in-laws, Phil Cundari, Michael Belforti, and Travis Sutphin, were the sons
Bud and Maureen never had, and each had a unique bond with him, as did his daughter-in-law,
Susan McClure.

Bud was the second generation family owner of Better Housekeeping Shop, a retail fixture in
Red Bank, established by his father in 1939. He was known as a man of integrity by his
employees, customers and the community, building lasting relationships that endured for
decades. Bud led the business through economic and demographic shifts, including the
establishments of malls and big box stores, and successfully transitioned the family business to
its third generation of family ownership, a rare accomplishment in any business sector.

His seven grandchildren, Christina Joy Cundari, Philip Cundari, Shannon Joy Belforti, Corey Joy
Belforti, Morgan Joy Belforti, Ryan Belforti, and Connor Sutphin were the greatest blessings of
his life, bringing love, laughter and energy into his days. Their “PaPa” will continue to guide their
lives as they embody the most important principles of his well-lived life of integrity. His daughters
were honored to care for their father during his recent cancer diagnosis. In his last note to them
he said, “I love you beyond belief. Paraphrasing Lou Gehrig I feel like the luckiest man on earth.
Your loving father. Remember we will meet again.”

The family invites friends to share memories and anecdotes on the John E. Day Funeral Home
website www.johnedayfuneralhome.com or through email to
betterhousekeepingshop@gmail.com. There will be a private family service this week and a
date for a celebration of Bud’s life will be forthcoming. A fund is established at Red Bank
Catholic High School, the Maureen Joy Memorial Scholarship,
https://www.redbankcatholic.org/admissions/scholarships/alumni-memorial-scholarships for
anyone who would like to make a donation in the memory of Bud.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.