Joseph Hada Jr. graduated from Thomas W. Harvey High School in 1968, Heidelberg University with a bachelor's degree in political science and education in 1972, and a master's degree in urban studies from Cleveland State University in 1978. He began his teaching career by spending one year at Leetonia High School and went on to teach U.S. history and government at Mentor High School for 29 years. He closed out his time in the classroom as a sports management instructor at Heidelberg.

Wrestling was a passion and Hada dedicated over 50 years to the sport as an athlete, coach, and official. An outstanding wrestler for the Harvey Red Raiders, Hada went on to grapple his way to the 1970 NCAA National Championships and All-American status for Heidelberg University. He was head coach of the Leetonia Bears for a season before amassing a 217-61-7 record as head coach for the Mentor Cardinals.

At Mentor, Hada coached a state champion, numerous state placers, received the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Coach of the Year award and earned recognition from the National Wrestling Coaches Association for his 200th dual win. In 1999, Hada left Mentor to help coach his son Joe through his senior year with the Raiders. He then followed younger Joe back to the Berg, where he stayed for 12 years as an assistant coach and a brief stint as interim head coach. He helped Heidelberg win 10 Ohio Athletic Conference championships and coached 25 OAC champions, 40 national qualifiers, nine all-Americans, and one national champion. Hada finally left his shoes on the mat in 2015.

Hada served as president of both the Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association and the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association. He is also a member of the Thomas W. Harvey High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, the T. W. Harvey School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mentor High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Heidelberg University Athletic Hall of Fame, and received the Mentor High School Football Stadium Dedication award.

A proud lifelong resident of the City of Painesville, Joe was first elected as an at-large councilperson in 1982 and served a record-setting eight terms. He was honored to be voted Council President for several terms, and he chaired the Economic Development Committee. He and Mary, who herself spent over 21 years on the School Board for the Painesville City Local School District, were named the Eastern Lake County Citizens of the Year in 2016.