James Matthew Orsini

James Matthew Orsini better known as "Jimmy", 91, of Nutley, New Jersey passed away peacefully, Sunday, April 22, 2012, at his home in East Hanover, New Jersey. James Orsini graduated from Nutley High School class of 1940. He was a member of the undefeated 1939 Nutley High School football team which won the New Jersey State Championship and was widely recognized as one of the greatest High School Teams in the nation. In 2000, James was inducted to the Nutley Football Hall of Fame. After graduation, he served honorably and proudly during the Second World War with the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. James served in all three of the Division's campaigns which included the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received the Bronze Star for his heroic actions in the Battle of the Bulge along with five other medals. Upon return from the war, James worked at Hoffmann LaRoche, Nutley for more than 45 years. James was very active in veterans' affairs at the local level. He was a member of the AMVETS Post 30, where he served as House Chairman. He also was a member of Italian Fiorente Club of Belleville. After the war, James and his beautiful wife, Jeanette, lived in Belleville for more than seven decades where they proudly raised their five children. James' love for his five children and sixteen grandchildren was profound. He reveled in the accomplishments of his children; Jim, Ronnie, Patty, Janis, and Denise. James was the beloved husband of Jeanette Orsini (nee DelTufo.) He was the loving father of Dr. James Orsini and wife Marie, of Montclair, Ronald Orsini and wife Dona, of Forked River, Patricia Farina and husband John, of Belleville, Janis LaValle and husband Joseph, of East Hanover, & Denise Johnstone and husband Glen, of Florham Park. He is also survived by his sixteen cherished grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, his loving sisters, Connie DeFeo, of Nutley and Adeline DiBella of Belleville. He was predeceased by his siblings Albert Orsini, Theresa Stanisci, and Mary Battista. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Clara Maass Foundation-Funds Earmarked to Cancer Center, One Clara Maass Drive, Belleville, New Jersey 07109. Funeral 9am Wednesday from the Megaro Memorial Home 503 Union Avenue Belleville (megaromemorialhome.com). Mass 10:30 am Holy Family Church 28 Brookline Avenue Nutley. Interment will follow in Glendale Cemetery Bloomfield. Visitation Tuesday 4-8 pm. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of James Matthew Orsini. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add our own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.