✦ Raised as Family ✦
Joseph Jay Robertson
January 9, 1920 – August 22, 1991
Brother of Lillian · Raised by the O'Brien and Verhoek families
Joseph J. Robertson U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class (PO1/E-6)
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
Judy Robertson
Born January 7, 1949 · Montclair, New Jersey
Married Donald Apicella on June 24, 1972, at Immaculate Conception Church, Montclair. Two sons: Donald James and Joseph Alfonse. Three grandchildren.
Rockaway Township, New Jersey
✦ Research in progress — identifications pending confirmation
Also believed to be present: her sister Elizabeth "Aunt Lillie" Kenny Corbett (standing left, believed) — a U.S. Navy Yeoman veteran who may have moved into the household to help care for the family during Mary Agnes's illness. Seated: Helen Gladys Robertson (believed), age approximately 15–16. Child: Joseph Jay Robertson, age approximately 3–4. The identity of the standing right figure has not yet been established.
The inscription on the back of this photograph reads: "Aunt Lillie — Lillie — Aunt Mama — Helen — Joe." Identifications above are based on cross-referencing census records, the death certificate, military service records, and known photographs of family members. They remain working hypotheses pending confirmation by a living family witness.
Do you recognize anyone in this photograph? Contact Mary at mary@storylinegenealogy.com
Photo Gallery
Remembering Joseph
Joseph Jay Robertson Yearbook Portrait "
Joe Robertson as Godfather on Christening Day"
📸 Photos of Joseph
Additional photographs of Joseph — from his Navy years through family gatherings — will be added as they are gathered from the family.
View Joe Robertson's Photo Album → -->Photo album coming soon
Documents
Records and remembrances
Ellen Hansen, Prospective Bride
Engagement announcement · c. 1946–1947
Joseph J. Robertson
Obituary · The Montclair Times · August 1991
Ellen M. Robertson
Obituary · 1984
Judith Robertson, Bride-Elect
Engagement announcement · Fiancée of Donald Apicella · 1972
Judith Robertson, Bride
Marriage announcement · 1972
Love, Joe
Letters & Telegrams from the Navy Years · 1942–1945
These letters and telegrams span three years of Joseph Jay Robertson's service in the United States Navy. Every one of them was addressed to the O'Brien house — 58 Central Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey. His sister Lillian had taken him in as a four-year-old orphan; now, more than twenty years on, she was still the one he wrote home to. He addressed her as Lil, Sis, Sparicles. He signed off the same way every time.
His daughter Judy shared a memory after receiving these letters from Mary Hamall Morales:
I loved my Dad's letters and telegrams. Don said he noticed in some of my Dad's pictures, he is missing a stripe now and then. I'll have to match the uniform with dates if I can. Lillian told me that my Dad always included "Love, Joe" when he sent a telegram and was asking for money. Once he just signed "Joe" and she was so mad at him.
— Judy Robertson Apicella, Joseph's daughterThe Photograph · c. 1942–1943
"Look at Him Now"
Joseph Jay Robertson, Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, with his sister Lillian Josephine Robertson O'Brien · Caldwell, New Jersey · c. 1942–1943 · Click to enlarge
She took him in when he was four years old. She was eighteen, newly orphaned herself, and there was no one else. For the next two decades, 58 Central Avenue was the address he wrote home to — through Navy postings in San Diego and San Francisco, through the deck court martial and the collect telegram and the demobilization point system that couldn't seem to decide when he was done.
And then one afternoon on a sidewalk in Caldwell, someone stopped them and took a photograph.
He is more than a head taller than her now. He has his arm around her shoulders. She is wearing her good coat. They are both smiling the way people smile when they have earned the right to stand still for a moment and simply be glad.
She raised him. He came home. That is the whole of it.
Letter · August 1942
"I feel like a freak" — Naval Repair Base, San Diego
Letter · United States Navy stationery · Main Base, San Diego, Calif. · Click to enlarge
Main Base, San Diego, Calif.
Dear Lil & gang,
Just a few lines to let you know the dope — (No I'm
not knocking myself again) — I've been assigned to
Ships Company here at the repair base so that means
that I should be here for quite some time maybe
eighteen months, or better.
The liberty is pretty good here, we get three nights
out of four and two weekends a week so things aren't
so bad. A lot of the guys work in the plants around
here on their liberty days so I might try that too,
but first I've got to get my fill of the bright lights!
How's all the kids and Miles doing? I sure hope
everyone's well.
Tell Aunt Lillie and anyone that you think of what
the address is, huh?
Well Lil, I'll close for now, take care of yourself
and drop me a line.
The address:
J.J. Robertson S/1c
Division S-1
Industrial Command
Naval Repair Base
San Diego, Calif.
It sure seems funny to be on the beach - I feel
like a freak -
So long Sis, and be good, huh?
Love,
Joe
Newly assigned to Ships Company at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego, Joseph was settling into Navy life — three nights of liberty out of four, two weekends a week. He was twenty-two years old, freshly arrived on the California coast, and it struck him as surreal. It sure seems funny to be on the beach. I feel like a freak. He signed off the way he always would. Love, Joe.
His Ship · c. Late 1930s–1941
USS Mississippi · BB-41 · New Mexico-Class Battleship
USS Mississippi (BB-41) · Official U.S. Navy photograph · Late 1930s to 1941 · Joseph kept this photograph · Click to enlarge
Joseph Robertson kept this official Navy photograph of the USS Mississippi — a 32,000-ton New Mexico-class battleship commissioned in December 1917. When Joe arrived at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego in August 1942, the Mississippi was operating along the same West Coast, having raced back from Iceland to the Pacific just days after Pearl Harbor. She would go on to fight across the Pacific — the Aleutians, the Gilbert Islands, Kwajalein, Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen, and Okinawa — earning eight battle stars before her decommissioning in 1956.
Joe served as a Shipfitter — the men who kept vessels like this one operational. The Mississippi sustained two catastrophic turret explosions during her long career, killing 48 men in 1924 and 43 more in 1943. The sailors who repaired and maintained the fleet worked in the shadow of that knowledge. That Joe saved this photograph says something about the world he inhabited and the pride he took in his service.
Western Union Telegram · January 4, 1945
"Send Me 125 Dollars Immediately" — San Francisco
Western Union · Sent COLLECT from San Francisco · January 4, 1945 · 10:03 AM · Click to enlarge
NAC69 17 COLLECT=SANFRANCISCO CALIF 4 510A
1945 JAN 4 AM 10 03
MRS LILLIAN J OBRIEN=
=58 CENTRAL AVE CALDWELL NJER=
=STARTING HOME FRIDAY. SEND ME 125 DOLLARS IMMEDIATELY
IF NOT SOONER. CARE WU 722 MARKET LOVE=
=JOE=
Sent collect — meaning Lillian paid the delivery fee. "WU 722 MARKET" is the Western Union office at 722 Market Street, San Francisco. $125 in 1945 is equivalent to approximately $2,100 today.
Joe was in San Francisco, in transit, heading home Friday. He needed $125 — immediately, if not sooner — and he knew exactly how to ask. He sent it collect, which meant his sister paid the telegram fee before she even read the demand inside. He gave the Western Union office on Market Street as his address so she'd know where to wire the money.
And he signed it: LOVE= =JOE=. The "Love" was there. This was the good one.
Western Union Telegram · February 18, 1945
"Still Here, But Going Out Soon" — and Just Joe
Western Union · San Francisco · February 18, 1945 · 7:24 AM · Click to enlarge
NAC9 NL PD=S SANFRANCISCO CALIF 17
1945 FEB 18 AM 7 24
MRS LILLIAN J OBRIEN=
=58 CENTRAL AVE PHONE CALDWELL 6-2825M CALDWELL NJER=
=DEAR LIL STILL HERE, BUT BY THE LOOKS OF THINGS
I'LL BE GOING OUT SOON. SOON AS I GET AN ADDRESS
I'LL WRITE. TELL LES=
JOE.
"LES" refers to Leslie Verhoek, husband of Joseph's sister Helen. Six weeks after the January telegram, Joe was still in San Francisco — this time not asking for anything. He signed it JOE. No Love.
Six weeks after the January telegram, Joe was still in San Francisco — waiting to ship out, reading the signs, telling Lillian to pass the word to Les. He wasn't asking for money this time. And so, true to form, he did not include "Love." Just Joe. Lillian, apparently, noticed the difference.
Notice of Change of Address · NAVPERS-695A · c. Early 1945
From the Receiving Ship, San Francisco, to San Diego
NAVPERS-695A · Signed: Joseph J. Robertson · SF1 · Service No. 646 04 80 · Click to enlarge
Addressed to Mrs. Lillian J. O'Brien · 58 Central Avenue · Caldwell, New Jersey · Click to enlarge
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS — NAVPERS-695A(10-44) NAME: ROBERTSON, JOSEPH J. RANK OR RATING: SF1 SERVICE NO.: 646 04 80 NEW MAILING ADDRESS: Industrial Command U.S. Naval Repair Base San Diego, California OLD ADDRESS WAS: THE RECEIVING SHIP, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. SIGNATURE: Joseph J. Robertson
The transit was over. From the Receiving Ship in San Francisco — the staging assignment where Joe had sent both telegrams — he moved south to the Naval Repair Base in San Diego, the same installation where he'd been stationed back in 1942. His rank now reads SF1: Shipfitter First Class. The letters home would catch up to him there.
Letter · April 3, 1945 · Three Pages
"Your Little Brother Came Darn Near Changing His Address" — U.S.M.R.B., San Diego
Page 1 · Click to enlarge
Page 2 · Click to enlarge
Page 3 · Click to enlarge
U.S.M.R.B.
April 3, 1945
Hi Sparicles,
Thanks a lot for the pictures. They sure are swell.
If you'd have gotten into the one where all the girls
are you'd have looked just as young as they — put the
quarter in my account — ho!
How's Miles feeling these days? Much better I hope.
[Enjoying the weather in] those there parts. Did I tell
you Gloria and Dot Thompson are out here in the [San]
Diego office of the telephone company. I haven't seen
them as yet — I've talked to Gloria over the phone but
they have funny hours — they work until ten at night.
I've been in trouble for a while and now that I'm
[getting] out of [it] I've got some sort of [rash] on
my face and neck and they're sending me up to the
Naval Hospital to see a skin doctor tomorrow.
Your little brother came darn near changing part of
his address last week. A couple of us got fouled up on
the beach [with the MPs] and wound up getting deck
court martials. The other guy was busted but they gave
me six months probation. If I foul up in the next six
months I'll be moving down a notch too.
If I get the chance to ship out, you can bet [your]
life I will — I wanted [to get out of] those [?]...
...[lower] them in this [?] for non-combatants and
drafted 4F3.
If some of these yellow-[bellies] find their name on
a draft list to ship out, they go over the hill —
what a place!
Well Lil, I guess I'll just be good and [not] do
anything I wouldn't [do].
Regards to the gang —
Love,
Joe
P.S. I got my first progress since last November,
a couple of days ago. The first thing that I [?]
for [was] [some] add[ress?].
Portions in brackets are inferred from context where handwriting is difficult to read. "Sparicles" was one of Joseph's nicknames for Lillian. "Deck court martial" was a non-judicial disciplinary proceeding; being "busted" meant losing rank. "Moving down a notch" would have meant losing his Shipfitter First Class rating.
Back in San Diego, Joe had gotten into trouble. A beach incident with another sailor had resulted in a deck court martial — the Navy's version of an internal disciplinary hearing. The other man was busted (demoted). Joe got six months probation, with a warning: one more slip and his stripe would go with it. He was also heading to the Naval Hospital for a skin condition on his face and neck. And yet the letter is quintessentially Joe — teasing Lillian about not getting into a photo, asking after Miles, mentioning the California girls they both knew from Caldwell who were now working the late shift at the San Diego telephone office.
The postscript mentions his first "progress" since the previous November — likely a promotion point or advancement assessment. He signed it Love, Joe. The good one.
Letter · August 22, 1945
"Sentimental, Ain't I?" — Naval Repair Base, San Diego
Letter with envelope · Naval Repair Base, San Diego · August 29, 1945 · Click to enlarge
Aug 22, 1945
Dear Sis,
Just received your letter this morning and just to
show you that I still love you (ha! Sentimental
ain't I?) — [I'm writing back the same day]...
[The Navy point system doesn't help a guy if he's
single. They keep moving the goalposts for us.]
I received [an invitation to] Sunny's wedding — I
didn't think that he'd be able to make it. So I
didn't go.
[Something about the telegrams — he threatens to]
...blister her fanny if she gives him more baloney
about those telegrams...
So long — and love to the gang and all the rest
of the Caldwell & Verona mob —
Love,
Joe
Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945 — fourteen days before this letter was written. The war was over; Joe was still at the base, waiting for the point system to release him. Selected passages transcribed; full letter partially illegible.
Two weeks after Japan's surrender, Joseph was still at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego, watching the demobilization point system sort everyone else ahead of him. Single sailors ranked lower in the discharge queue than married men with children. The war was over and he was still waiting.
Lillian had apparently given him grief about those telegrams — the collect one, the one without "Love" — and he responded in kind. He threatened to blister her fanny if she didn't lay off. And then, having said all that, he signed off to her and the whole Caldwell and Verona crowd.
Love, Joe.
He was, as Judy put it, quite the character. The man who sent a collect telegram demanding $125 immediately if not sooner was the same man who closed every letter to his sister with love to the gang and be good, huh? The Navy had taken him from Brooklyn to San Diego to San Francisco and back again; through a court martial and a probation scare and a skin condition and a demobilization point system that couldn't seem to decide when he was done. He wrote through all of it, always to the same address, always to the same person who had taken him in when he was four years old.
Joseph Jay Robertson came home from the Navy in 1946. He married Ellen Hansen in the spring of 1947, built a life in New Jersey, and worked for forty years as a plumber with Local 24. He and his sisters stayed close for the rest of their lives. The three orphans of January 1924 had stayed connected for sixty-seven years. Joseph died on August 22, 1991 — just three weeks before his sister Lillian's death on September 13. In the end, they left this world together, just as their parents had — within weeks of each other.