Mel Arena

Mel Arena

AGE: 59 • Howell Twp.

Mel Arena, 59, of Howell Twp., NJ, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ. He was born in Staten Island and resided there before moving to Howell 21 years ago. Mr. Arena was employed as an equipment operator by the Millstone Public Works Department, Millstone Twp., NJ, for 10 years before his retirement in 2012. Prior to that, he worked for the New York City Department of Sanitation for 20 years. He was a communicant of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church in Jackson Twp., NJ, where he o was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Holy Name Society, and a member of the Church Council with former pastor Fr. Scott Shaffer. In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 6201 in Jackson. Mel enjoyed walking his dog, Fred, and taking him to play at the dog park. He also enjoyed having breakfast with his friends. He was enjoying his retirement fishing, loving his family and friends, and golfing. To know him was to love him.

He was predeceased by his Father, John Arena; and his Brother, Joe Arena. He is survived by his Wife of 35 years, Laura (Brindisi) Arena; his Sons, Steven Arena and his Wife Melissa of Howell, NJ, and Andrew Arena of Astoria, NY; his Mother, Rose Arena of Spotswood, NJ; his Sister, Karen Spoleti and her Husband Mario of Monroe, NJ; his Sister-in-law, Joann Arena of Old Bridge, NJ; his Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law, Carol and Peter Sivillo of Jackson Twp., NJ; and his Several Nieces and Nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visitation Monday, July 14, 2014, from 7-9 PM and on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, from 4-8 PM at the GEORGE S. HASSLER FUNERAL HOME, 980 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson Twp., NJ 08527. His Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 9:30 AM at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson, NJ. Please meet at the church at 9:15 AM. Interment to follow in St. Anne Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Rd., Wall, NJ. Donations may be made in Mel's memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Disease Research, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, and would be greatly appreciated. For directions, further information, and to send condolence messages to the family, please visit www.hasslerfuneralhome.com