Joseph J. Truncer( 1907-2000) received the Pugsley Medal in 1969 for "his great success and accomplishments in building the state of New Jerseys system of Historic Sites, structures, Beaches and Parks to one of the finest in the Nation". He was born in Williamstown, New Jersey. As a youth he read two books that his father owned which were written by Gifford Pinchot and these aroused his interest in forestry. By the time freshman in high scjool, he had decidec tp pursue career either in engineering or forestry. Thus after completing high school in Haddonfield, New Jersey, he went to Syracuse. The University graduating with B.S. in forestry in 1929. While he was a student, he worked with a surveying crew and eventually passed examination qualifying him as a licensed surveyor.
After two years in this position, he became superintendent of Parvin State Park in South Jersey in 1932. Truncer remained in that position until 1947. He was appointed superintendent immediately after land for the park had been acquired and it was Truncer's task to transform it into park. A writer from the Medford Leas Life briefly reviewed the chronology of the early days of Parvin State Park.
In 1947 Truncer was transferred to the Trenton office of the Department of Conservation as assistant director of state parks and forestry. He was promoted to principal forester in 1953 and held the postion until 1962. During this period the state gained title to approximately 100,000 acres of land, known as Wharton Tract in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.