Joseph Mark Hightower

Joseph Mark Hightower was a life long Staten Islander, born in St Vincent’s Hospital on July 26, 1967. He lived on Harrison Ave in Port Richmond his entire life. He attended Port Richmond High School in Port Richmond. He worked for many years at Mike’s Radiator Shop on Richmond Terrace as a mechanic. After that, he worked at Kevin’s Auto Body on Granite Ave, for a great boss and friend, Kevin Scheuerman.

Joseph was affectionately known as “The Mayor of Port Richmond” to many. Every one knew him and he knew everyone. He always had a hello or a good morning for anyone he passed and he made friends easily, because of his easy going disposition. Some say he was friendly to a fault. If he was your friend, you knew he had your back if you were in a jam with a few bucks or a kind word. Even if he only had two bucks in his pocket, he would give you one. He always remembered people’s names, even if he hadn’t seen that person in many years.

He had a quick wit and was known for his smart comebacks. But, Joseph never had a bad word to say about anyone and didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He never gossiped about anyone and never condoned it when others did it. Many have said that they never heard him say a curse word his whole life. His lifelong friend Tony Loffredo says that when he would use curse words around Joseph, he would say  “Tony, why do you have to use those words?” Tony also said that his friends loved him very much. His wife Yvette described him as “the salt of the earth”.

Joe enjoyed taking care of his brother in law’s horses, playing pool, spending time with his dog Champagne, watching old time tv shows, and taking walks by the beach.

Joseph is survived by his wife Yvette Ayuso, brother James Barney Hightower Jr, his sister Carol Otten and husband Ken, his brother Carl and wife Tisa, and his sister Joanne and husband Patrick as well as 10 nieces and nephews, 21 great nieces and nephews and 7 great, great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Johanna Hightower, his brother William Hightower, his sister in law Patricia Hightower, and his great nephew Joseph Hightower.