Samuel F Fusaro Jr

Samuel F. Fusaro, Jr., 73, passed away on November 26, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Barbara; his daughter Jessica Staszewski and her husband Timothy; his son David Fusaro and his wife Stephanie; his cherished grandchildren Emily, Nathan Staszewski, and Dylan Fusaro; as well as his aunt Vivian Skidmore and many treasured cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Samuel Sr. and Anita Fusaro and aunt Josephine Harris.

Born on October 16, 1952, in Washington, D.C., Sam grew up in Neptune, NJ, and was a proud graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University.

Sam held several positions in health-care–related industries, including serving as the Dental Department Business Manager at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, before entering Federal Civil Service in 1980 as a budget analyst in the Office of the Comptroller at Fort Monmouth, NJ. Over the next decade he served in various financial roles before joining the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) Project Office in 1990 as Chief of the Business Management Division. He was appointed Deputy Project Manager in 1998, a position he held until his retirement in 2011. Even after retiring, Sam continued to serve part-time as a financial and operations consultant to the U.S. Army.

In 1990, Sam discovered another calling when he ran for local office and was elected Councilman of Manchester Township. He proudly served the residents of Manchester for 27 years, from 1990–2006 and again from 2011–2023. During his tenure he championed the passage of Manchester's Open Space Referendum and served on numerous Township boards and commissions, including the Municipal Planning Board, Master Plan Committee, Recreation Commission, and Pine Lakes Restoration Committee. He also devoted many years to coaching in Manchester's Little League and Youth Basketball programs. In 2017, Sam was honored with induction into the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.

In retirement, Sam's greatest joys were spoiling his grandchildren, relaxing on the beach, reconnecting with his SPD frat brothers, and enjoying a good game of pinball. His warmth, dedication, and steady presence will be deeply missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00–7:00 PM, with a 6:00 PM service, at Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Road, Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or the Alzheimer's Association, 23 Vreeland Rd., Suite 105, Florham Park, NJ 07932.