Joshua Pineda

After living with bravery and determination, Joshua Brendan Pineda (1996–2025) passed away peacefully due to glioblastoma on October 24, 2025. He was surrounded by family and love. Josh was known for his kindness, humor, and resilience. He has touched the lives of many through his career, hobbies, and passions.

Josh was born on December 9, 1996 in Santa Maria, Bulacan, Philippines. On March 12, 1998, when he was one year old, his parents, Rainier Anthony and Eleanor, brought him and his sister Bianca from the Philippines to Jersey City, NJ. He spent his preschool years there and met childhood friends who would grow to be lifelong friends. On December 30, 2001, the family moved to Colonia, NJ. Josh spent the rest of his childhood there. 

Josh loved music in all forms. In elementary school, he took up an interest in playing the saxophone. He then went on to learn the guitar. By the time he graduated Colonia High School, Josh had taught others how to play guitar, played for jazz bands, played in friends’ bands, and performed at the school’s musicals and plays. He also loved going to concerts - especially standing in the pit and vibing with the crowds in excitement and anticipation. Josh would often learn how to play his favorite songs on the guitar. He loved singing his heart out whether at karaoke or in the shower.

Josh sought to grow and improve in his many interests and pursuits. He thoroughly enjoyed the full process of learning, making mistakes, and making improvements no matter how small. He studied computer science at Rutgers University and later worked as a software engineer. He worked on applications and projects on his own time. He was a valued and beloved colleague. 

He loved traveling, cooking, baking, and coffee. He developed his own recipes for chocolate chip cookies and brownies that he would constantly tweak and ask for feedback on. He visited different coffee shops to look for inspiration, then recreated and made his own blends and syrups. Whenever he went on trips, they would be heavily food focused. He enjoyed noodles and ramen immensely. He could often be found making spicy variations of both. He loved having scrumptious food and freely let his expressions show how much he savored the food.

Everyone who knew Josh knew how much he loved videogames. He enjoyed teaming up with his family and friends, and joining them through exciting victories and defeats. He made many friends through gaming. He was known to be very patient and not easily shaken by losses or taunting. He taught many friends how to play games and even made presentations for them. He especially loved challenging games that tested his skills and kept him thinking. He enjoyed going to gaming conventions and dressing up in costume with friends.

Josh is survived by his grandparents Susana and Dionisio Mendoza, his mother Eleanor, his father Rainier Anthony , his sister Bianca, as well as his extended family and dear friends who loved him deeply.

He carried with him the lessons of faith learned from his grandparents’ and parents’ devotion. They instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and determination, qualities that shaped who he became. These qualities became the hallmarks of who he was and helped him tackle challenges with steady courage. 

He shared a close bond with his sister, with whom he created countless cherished memories. From sharing a bedroom during childhood to sharing an apartment during his final months, they were together through adventures and ordeals. They would often take the time out of their busy days to cook meals or have lunch together. They enjoyed having deep and pleasant conversations. They understood each other in a unique way.

Josh will always be remembered for his strength, thoughtfulness, tenacity, and the way that he always respected the feelings of others. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. 

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team, his doctors, and nurses whose care, compassion, dedication, and support have brought comfort and dignity to Josh after his diagnosis and through to his final days.

Visitation will be held on Thursday and Friday, October 30 and 31, 2025, from 4 - 8 pm at Gosselin Funeral Home in Edison, NJ. There will be a mass at the funeral home at 6 pm on Thursday.

A funeral mass will be held at Divine Mercy Church in Rahway, NJ on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 10 am. 

Joshua's Photos

Link to live services for Josh's blessing listed on page. Josh's Live Services

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