ANTHONY PELLECCHIA

Anthony J. Pellecchia Retired East Hanover postmaster appointed by President Eisenhower, 90 Anthony J. Pellecchia died peacefully in his sleep at his home in East Hanover, N.J., on Sunday, April 17, 2016, after a brief illness. He lived a full and rewarding life, devoted to God, family, country, and community. Funeral services will begin at 10:15 a.m. today, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Hancliffe Home For Funerals, 222 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, hancliffehomeforfunerals.com, with the Funeral Mass and celebration of Tony's life at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 312 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, at 11 a.m. Entombment is thereafter at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover. The wake was yesterday. Anthony, known as Tony, was born on March 10, 1926, at his uncle's farm in North Caldwell, N.J., to Antonia (nee Matarazzo) and Fiorentino Pellecchia. In 1927, Anthony and his family moved to what was then known as Hanover, now East Hanover, where they established the Pellecchia Farm and Road Stand in 1928, the Hanover Bridge Beer Garden in 1934, and the Red Star Store and Tavern in 1936. From the end of the 1930s through the 1950s, Tony worked alongside his family at the Red Star, which continued in business until the early 1980's. Tony attended elementary school in Hanover and in 1944, he graduated from Bayley High School on Madison Street in Morristown, N.J., where he established lifelong friendships. Upon graduation, Tony joined his three brothers and two brothers in-law in service to our country during World War II. He served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard. After the war, he attended Seton Hall University and enjoyed a decade-long bachelor's life with his friends and family, all of whom were grateful to have survived and won the Great War. Dedicated to his country, and the men and women who serve to keep it free, Tony devoted much of his time to veterans, particularly disabled veterans at Lyons Hospital in Basking Ridge. As a charter member and past commander of The American Legion James P. Collins Post 421, for decades he was its graves chairman, in charge of Memorial Day flag placements at East Hanover's five cemeteries, including its Revolutionary War Cemetery. Tony recently served as a board member of Driven by Heroes. In March of this year, The American Legion honored Tony for his 70 years of continuous service. For over three decades, Tony was parade chairman and master of ceremonies of the East Hanover Memorial Day Parade. In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower nominated Tony to be the second postmaster of Hanover, N.J. After confirmation by the United States Senate, President Eisenhower appointed Tony on May 15, 1956. As postmaster for 33 years, Tony moved the post office location three times, and supervised the building of the current post office on Ridgedale Avenue. Throughout his career, he actively participated in the National Association of Postmasters of the United States, and the Northeast Region Postmaster Selection Board. Tony met his bride-to-be, Anna (Anne) Marie O'Donnell, of Bayonne, N.J., in 1956. On Sept. 14, 1957, Tony and Anne wed at Saint Andrew's Church in Bayonne. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage together, raising their three children, caring for their five grandchildren, and traveling the world in their later years. Shortly after their marriage, Tony and Anne, along with several other families and Father Alphonse Tuozzo, founded Saint Rose of Lima Church, and later its elementary school. Tony served as a trustee of St. Rose for 28 years, and as an usher for 43 years. He was president of St. Rose of Lima Holy Name Society, and its Morristown Loyola Retreat House chairman. From 1974 to 1981, Tony was a member of the Hanover Park Regional Board of Education, and during that time, its president, chair of the personnel and finance committees, and negotiator. For 35 years, Tony was a trustee of the East Hanover First Aid Squad, and for 25 years a member of the advisory board of the East Hanover branch of The National Union Bank, then National Community Bank, then The Bank of New York. He also was a past vice-President of the Roseland/East Hanover Rotary Club, and member of the East Hanover Kiwanis Club. Active in support of his children's interests, Tony founded the Hanover Park Tip-Off Club, becoming its first president. He was also a member of the Morris/Sussex Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Boy Scout Troop 20. In his spare time, Tony loved to play accordion, travel, listen to music, work in his garden, and tend to his fig trees and grape arbor. He also golfed for most of his life, and was a member of the Hole-in-One Club. Tony is survived by his three children, John and his wife, Elizabeth of Mendham Borough, N.J., Mary of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, N.J., and Anthony (Bud) and his wife, Sherri, of Mendham Township, N.J. Tony also leaves five grandchildren, Anna, John, Christopher, Nicholas, and Isabella Pellecchia, who will forever know the joy, peace, and love of their wonderful grandfather. Tony is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and great-grand nieces and -nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Salvatore, George, and Frank; sisters, Millie Politi and Jean Masiello, and his loving wife, Anne. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial donation in the name of Anthony J. Pellecchia to St. Joseph Guild, c/o St. Joseph's Villa, P.O. Box 36, Flourtown, Pa. 19031-0036.