Vasco Freitas

Vasco J. Freitas, age 59, entered eternal life peacefully on November 26th, 2023 at his home in Ortley Beach, NJ surrounded by loved ones. Vasco was born on January 16th, 1964 in Portugal and was raised in Elizabeth, NJ. He graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1982 before starting a family and moving to Bayonne. Vasco and his family relocated to Manalapan where he lived for many years before ultimately fulfilling his dream of building a beautiful beach abode where friends and family gather and are entertained with heavenly views of ocean waves and epic firework displays.
Vasco was a strong provider. He epitomized the American Dream and utilized the entrepreneurial spirit he cultivated from a young age to run successful video store and limousine businesses before brainstorming, launching and co-piloting a medical transportation company with his friends and dear wife, Michele.
Vasco was a loyal husband and a devoted father who adored his grandchildren and proudly embraced the role of "Papa" in which he wore many hats including gymnastics instructor and swim coach, eater of Oreo cookies and purveyor of "Papa kisses." On any given day he could be found in the stands being a crazy gymnastics dad, executing fatherly late-night rescue missions, or simply spending quality time sharing stories at the beach.
Vasco embodied fun, always in control, never taking things too seriously, and always ready to laugh and have a good time. He enjoyed family vacations, trips to Atlantic City, good food, orchestrating high stakes Super Bowl parties, breakdancing at any formal party he attended and cheering on the Mets and Jets. Always tan, always smiling, he will be sorely missed.
Vasco is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Michele (Doering) Freitas; two cherished daughters, Bianca Eidel (Ryan) of Pt. Pleasant, NJ and Nicole Carella (Andrew) of Wall, NJ; his parents Maria Vitoria Tavares and Jose Freitas Tavares of Espinho, Portugal; his brothers Carlos (Chandra) Freitas of Palm Coast, Florida; Rui (Paula) Freitas of Brick, NJ, and Renato (Monica) Freitas of Tamarac, Florida; two beloved grandchildren, Briella Michele Eidel and Ryan Joseph Eidel; mother-in-law Jane (Antonicelli) Rotolo of Toms River, NJ and two brother in-laws William (Suzanne) Doering of Bayonne, NJ and John (Dawn) Doering of Chatham, NJ; many wonderful nieces and nephews, and a host of long-time friends.
Friends may attend a Memorial Gathering on Friday, December 1st from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals at 706 Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ. A 7th Day Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 2nd at 5:30pm at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Elizabeth, NJ. Interment will be private. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.
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