Alexander Oriente

ORIENTE
Alexander "Lefty", 81, of Ridgefield NJ, passed peacefully away on Saturday, December 20th 2014 at the Veterans Hospital in East Orange surrounded by his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Grace Oriente (nee Romano), his son Alexander Oriente, his daughter Stacy Oriente, Alexander's wife Rosa Oriente (nee Buongiorno), their children Kristina and Nicole Oriente, his sister Dolores Oriente Paluscio and her daughter Camille Paluscio. He is predeceased by daughter Nancy Oriente and sons Vincent and Michael Oriente. The son of Alexander Oriente Sr. and Camille Oriente (nee Gabriel) he was born in West New York, NJ. A well know sportsman in his high school years, he was the Captain of his baseball team and played for more than one of legendary Coach Joseph Coviello's State Championship football teams in the late 1940's and early 50's as a Quarterback and Punter. Alexander proudly served his country during the Korean War in the United States Navy aboard the USS Tarawa and later again as a United States Army Reservist Drill Sergeant. He was a West New York Police Officer for over 40 years, retiring as Chief in 1997. In his later years he remained vital and active serving as the Treasurer of UNICO's Ridgefield Chapter VI and as the Adjutant for DAV Chapter 32. He was an avid NY Yankee and Giant fan and a devoted "Poppa" to fur grand baby Havana. Friends and family are invited for visitation on Friday, December 26th at Blackely Funeral Home in Ridgefield, NJ at 809 Broad Avenue between the hours of 4 and 8PM. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Saturday, December 27th at 9AM to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Matthew's Church, 555 Prospect Avenue, Ridgefield on Saturday, December 27th at 10 AM. Final prayers will follow at Cedar Lawn Crematory, 200 McLean Boulevard, Paterson, NJ. For directions to the funeral home or to send condolences, please go to blackleyfuneral@gmail.