✦ Raised as Family ✦
Joseph Jay Robertson
January 9, 1920 – August 22, 1991
Brother of Lillian · Raised by the O'Brien and Verhoek families
Joseph Jay Robertson
The Three Orphans
Joseph Jay Robertson was born January 9, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York — the youngest of three children born to Joseph Robertson and Mary Agnes Kenny. His mother was the daughter of John Kenny, the Brooklyn mat maker whose story is told elsewhere on this site. His two older sisters were Lillian (born 1905, who would later marry Miles Murtha O'Brien) and Helen (born 1907, who would marry Leslie Verhoek).
In January 1924, when Joseph was just four years old, tragedy struck the Robertson family. Both of his parents died within days of each other — leaving three young children orphaned. The three Robertson children remained in the Caldwell area, cared for by extended family.
But four-year-old Joseph Jay posed a particular challenge. Too young to care for himself, he was passed between his older sisters' households as they established their own lives. Family oral history, passed down through Barbara O'Brien Hamall and her first cousin Judy Robertson (Joseph Jay's daughter), tells us that young Joseph spent time in both households — sometimes with Lillian and Miles O'Brien, sometimes with Helen and Leslie Verhoek.
Word has it he wasn't always thrilled about staying with the O'Briens. Uncle Miles, it seems, was "a bit strict."
Parents: Joseph Robertson & Mary Agnes Kenny
Siblings: Lillian J. Robertson (O'Brien), Helen Robertson (Verhoek)
Military Service: U.S. Navy · World War II & Korean War
Occupation: Plumber · Plumbers Union Local 24, Summit, NJ (40 years)
Married: Ellen Marie Hansen · Spring 1947
Daughter: Judith Ann Robertson (Apicella)
Died: August 22, 1991 · Veterans Administration Medical Center, Lyons, NJ · age 71
Ellen Marie Hansen
1924 – 1984
Ellen Marie Hansen Robertson
Joseph married Ellen Marie Hansen in the spring of 1947. Ellen was the daughter of William A. and Mrs. Hansen of 149 Valley Road, Montclair. She graduated from Montclair High School; Joseph from Caldwell High School. Their engagement was announced in the local papers after Joseph completed over four years of Navy service.
Together they had one daughter, Judith Ann. Ellen worked as a bookkeeper for 15 years at McHugh Inc. and was deeply involved in her community — serving as treasurer of the Essex County Women's Bowling Association, secretary of the North End Woman's Bowling League, and delegate to the Woman's International Bowling Congress for 15 years. She was also a member of the Woman's Bowling 600 Club and Essex County Woman Bowler of the Year in 1969–70.
Ellen died in 1984, predeceasing Joseph by seven years.
His Daughter
One child of Joseph & Ellen Robertson
Photo Gallery
Remembering Joseph
📸 Photos of Joseph
Additional photographs of Joseph — from his Navy years through family gatherings — will be added as they are gathered from the family.
Photo album coming soon