Joseph Platanella III , 63, of Mays Landing, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17th after a courageous year long battle with ALS [Lou Gehrig’s Disease]. Born on Christmas Day 1949, Joey was a lifelong Mays Landing resident. Following graduation from Oakcrest High School in 1968, he served for three years in the Air National Guard, before being honorably discharged in July 1971. An avid sports fan and hunter, Joey truly cherished his time on the golf course equally as much as walking the mountains of Maine and New York on his annual hunting trips. He was a faithful jogger who could be seen daily running on Route 50 through Laureldale. Just the opportunity to give a wave of hello to a neighbor or friend was all the encouragement he needed to keep running. A longtime casino employee, Joey last worked at the Revel Casino. He was the quintessential bartender who if engaged in conversation at some point was surely to inform you the greatest band of all time were his beloved Beatles. He was a former coach with the Mays Landing Lakers Youth Football League and loved talking football. He particularly loved the “old-school, tough, hard-nosed” type players and so it came as no surprise that it was with that same type of toughness he lived his final days. Joey was predeceased by his father Joseph Platanella Jr., and leaves behind to cherish and carry on his memory his mother Delma. He also leaves behind his brother and best friend Robert( Lena Palladino) of Egg Harbor Township; brother John of Mays Landing; sisters: Helen Heide [Eric] of Galloway ; Deborah Pino [Gil Bean] of Hammonton; Frances Bailey [Steven] of Mullica Township and Dottie Torres [Cisco] of Mays Landing. He will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews who he eagerly played Santa for every Christmas Eve: Robert Platanella, Casey and Taylor Bailey; Rachele and Jenna Pino; Kevin and Gabrielle Torres; John and Tyler Platanella. A viewing will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Boakes Funeral Home, 6050 Main Street, Mays Landing, NJ from 5:00PM until 8:00PM. On Thursday August 22nd a viewing will be held from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 5021 Harding Highway, Mays Landing where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM. Interment immediately following at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing, NJ. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to ALS Association – Greater Philadelphia Chapter. www.alsphiladelphia.org/donate-online or contact (215) 643-5434. Info and condolences: www.boakesfuneralhome.com