Rocco Neri

AGE: 92 • Toms River

Rocco Neri, 92 of Toms River, passed away on Thursday October 6th at Fountainview Care Center, Lakewood. He owned & operated the Stuyvesant Auto Body in Irvington for 30 years. Born in Newark, he resided in Irvington from 1951 -1985 when he moved to Toms River. Rocco led a full and interesting life. He served in the Army and National Guard from 1939-1945. He was the first Italian-American Democratic chairman of Essex County and he served a term in the NJ State Assembly from 1974-1976. He was Undersheriff of Essex County until 1980. He served on the board of trustees at Irvington General Hospital for many years before retiring to Toms River, and continued to work part time at Monmouth Race Track and Giants Stadium. His last job was as a security officer at Kensington Manor in Toms River where he worked until the age of 83. Rocco is predeceased by his beloved wife, Julia Gerardo and his grandson, Daniel Smith. Surviving is his daughter, Angela & husband Bill Giglio of Toms River, a brother, Albert Neri of Parlin and a sister, Catherine Warren of Ray City, GA. Also surviving are his cherished grandchildren, namesake Rocco Salvatore of Duluth, MN, Gina D'Amato and husband Rob of Basking Ridge, and Patrick Smith and wife Kristina of Shrewsbury, 4 great-grandchildren, Joseph, Andrew and Nicholas D'Amato and Bridget Mary Smith. Visitation is Sunday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Oliverie Funeral Home 2925 Ridgeway Rd Manchester. Funeral Liturgy is Monday 10:30AM at St Luke's Church, Toms River with entombment to follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. For directions or to send online condolences, please visit our website at www.oliveriefuneralhome.com.

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Published by Asbury Park Press on Oct. 8, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Rocco Neri

9 Entries

October 13, 2011

Angela, We were so sorry to hear about your beloved dad's passing. We remember him so well.....always at the Little League games and always had a smile on his face. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Peggy and Basil Verlangieri, Wilmington, NC

Kenny Boxley

October 9, 2011

Angela, You are Very Lucky to Have a Great Father Like Rocky! He was one in a Million....

Kenny Boxley

October 9, 2011

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Rosemarie LeMoine

October 9, 2011

Uncle Rocky was my Godfather, and I always thought I was very lucky to be able to tell all my non Italian friends that my godfather was my Uncle Rocky. They would always smile, and know immediately that I was Italian American. Uncle Rocky was wonderful. I still remember being a little girl, visiting his autobody shop with my dad. There was a box of white sugar donuts in the office, and Uncle Rocky and my dad went into the shop, leaving me alone in the office with those donuts. My mother, who always told me not to eat so much, was not there. So, I ate at least 3 of those donuts, in rapid succession, quite happy. They were probably for the fellows in the shop, but when I came outof theoffice, no doubt with sugar all over me, Uncle Rocky just smiled. He was wonderful...very loving, generous, and never critical. I have heard from many of my cousins many stories of how he helped them out in times of need, or at weddings, how he would find a limo for them... all sorts of nice things he did. We were lucky to have him. Many blessings to you, Angela, as you mourn the loss of your dad. You were lucky to have someone so wonderful, who loved you so much, and who was so proud of you. That pride and that love for you lives on in you forever. We will miss Uncle Rocky, but thank him so much for all that he did for the Neri family. Tomorrow, in Florence, Mother, Sister Pauline and I will attend Mass in his honor, praying for him and for you, Angela. Today, I lit a candle for him, and one for you, Angela, in the famous church in Florence, Santa Maria Fiore. The Angels have carried him home. I bet he is enjoying some of your Mom's fabulous cooking and laughing and talking with all the relatives now. God be with you, and with us as we remember him, and grieve his passing.
Rosemarie

Don Nucifora

October 9, 2011

Angela & family, My thoughts are with you and your family. We will all miss Uncle Rocky as he was a big part of our family. One memory sticks in my head when I was very young and he took me out in his boat. Maybe that's why I always had a boat. My prayers will be for him and Danny. God bless you all. Love, Donnie & Joan

Jo Ann Nucifora

October 8, 2011

Angela,
So sorry to hear the sad news about Uncle Rocky. I have wonderful memories of him when we were growing up. My love, thoughts and prayers are going out to you and your family.

Louis Herbert

October 8, 2011

Jesus Angela when it rains it pours. My deepest condoles on the passing of YOUR FATHER he was a icon in Irvington well respected and liked by many. Remember the night when we were teenagers an I brought you home late? I told Dad that the reason we were late was because my drive shaft fell out. Well he knew I was full of crap. That being said he eventually forgot about it and he was pretty cool. Dad lived a long and prosperous life and most of all an honorable one.

ROSEMARY FRASCA

October 8, 2011

TO ANGELA AND HER FAMILY

I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. NO ONE CAN KNOW THE PAIN YOU FEEL UNLESS THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED IT THEMSELVES BUT CAN ONLY IMAGINE.I PRAY FOR YOU TO FIND COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT HE HAS LIVED A FULL LIFE AND THAT YOU HAVE PEACE WITH THAT.

Patrick & Joyce Nucifora

October 8, 2011

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved ones today and always.

Stay strong Angela.

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