Joseph N. Shirley, Sr., 81, formerly of Edison, passed away Friday, November 27, 2015, surrounded by his family. Born in Raritan Township, he resided in Edison most of his life prior to moving to Whiting 15 years ago. Mr. Shirley served in the United States Army before being honorably discharged. He was a 1972 graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. He retired as Captain with the Edison Police Department in 1989 after 30 years of service. He served as Commander of the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Coordinator of Emergency Management, was past President of the New Jersey Identification Association, and was a member of PBA Local 75. He was an avid photographer and was very active in Edison Township throughout his life. Mr. Shirley was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marilyn Shirley, in 2002. Surviving are his children and their spouses, Diane Nagy and Dennis of Edison; Patricia Shirley and her fiancé Neil Puritz of Edison; and Joseph N. Shirley, Jr. and Amy of Newark, DE. His grandchildren Richard and Rachel Borwegen, Ross and Shannon Donato, and Morgan, Jordan, and Joseph N. Shirley III; his brother Russell Shirley of Charlotte, NC; and his fiancé Alice Olivier of Whiting. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. at the Boylan Funeral Home, 10 Wooding Avenue in Edison, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Matthew's R.C. Church in Edison. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Burial Park in Piscataway. Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Joe was a very creative and artistic person who loved decorating for the Christmas holidays. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to bring a small ornament to add to his Christmas tree.