The brother-sister pair from the Garden State used to be much more close than they are today.

While there are plenty of beloved husbands in the Real Housewives franchise, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Joe Gorga is someone special. Maybe its because he’s been around so long  — we met Joe and wife Melissa Gorga when she made a guest appearance in Season 2 of RHONJ, and knew him through his sister Teresa Giudice before that — but it feels like we’ve grown up with the guy.

And yet those familial ties that stood him in good stead for many seasons have deteriorated, between Teresa’s divorce and her ongoing issues with his wife, Melissa. But we can still look back at happier times for Joe and his family.

Joe Gorga and Teresa Giudice at Church with Their Parents

Here, the Gorga family — Joe, Teresa, Giacinto, and Antonia — looks absolutely pristine in their church outfits at what appears to be Teresa’s first communion. While the rest of the family is serious, young Joe has his cool-guy personality down with a soft smile and hands-in-pockets pose.

The Gorgas in the ’80s

Who is ready to petition for Joe and Teresa to recreate these outfits at an ’80s party on RHONJ?

Joe was born in August 1974, making this is an ’80s photo through and through.

Joe and Teresa with Their Grandmother

This photo communicates two main points. The first: family has always been important to the Gorgas. The second: Joe was extremely into tube socks as a child.

Teen Joe Gorga in His Basketball Uniform

As a teenager, the Jersey boy played for his hometown basketball team while his Teresa was a baton twirler.

Today, Joe and Melissa’s son Gino has chosen wrestling as his extracurricular sport.

Joe and Melissa Gorga at Their Wedding

Here, Joe poses with beautiful bride Melissa at their August 2004 nuptials.

Over the next few years, the happy couple welcomed their daughter Antonia (born in 2005), as well as their their sons Gino (2007) and Joey (2010).

“Happy anniversary to the most amazing woman who has brought 19 years of pure joy and love into my life,” wrote Joe via Instagram in an anniversary ode to Melissa in August 2023.

Joe Gorga and a Pregnant Teresa Giudice

Next to his three adorable children, Joe is the uncle of four gorgeous girls: Teresa’s daughters Gia, Milania, Gabriella, and Audriana.

Joe Gorga with His Father and Joe Giudice

Here, Joe is posing next to his father, Giacinto Gorga — who is holding a baby boy — and his now-former brother-in-law, Joe Giudice.

Giacinto sadly passed away in April 2020.

Joe Gorga and His Mother, Antonia Gorga

Joe honored his mom, Antonia. by naming his first child, daughter Antonia, after her.

The elder Antonia passed away in 2017 at age 66.

Two years after her death, Joe posted a tribute to the matriarch on Instagram that mentioned how much he missed her and her cooking.

“Happy Birthday to an amazing person,” he wrote in October 2019. “I miss you so much everyday. God I wish I had your sauce today. I love you.”

Joe Gorga and the Wakile Family

Here, Joe and his cousin Kathy Wakile (you might remember her from Seasons 2 through 7) sip martinis at someone’s 40th birthday party.

It looks like Joe took a moment away from his wedding in 2004 to snap a photo with cousin Kathy’s children, Victoria and Joseph.

Joe Gorga, Giacinto Gorga, and Joe Giudice

During BravoCon 2023, Joe Gorga talked about seeing Joe Giudice for the first time since the latter’s 2018 deportation from the United States.

“I’m gonna clarify something about this: I grew up with this man,” he said during the “In a Jersey State of Mind” panel. “That moment … was so real. And it was amazing. It really was, and we saw each other. We hugged each other, and it was such a beautiful moment.”