Obituary of Samuel Defino

Samuel Defino Surrounded by family, Samuel Defino formally of Newark, Maplewood, Basking Ridge, NJ and Clarksville, GA peacefully passed away on March 26, 2014 at the age of 88. Born in Brooklyn NY, Sam spent most of his life in New Jersey. In addition, Sam served his country as a Navy ship fitter second class during WWII. Sam began his 37 year career with the South Orange & Maplewood Board of Education as an audio visual technician in the early 1950s. He and his wife raised 9 children in the home they built for their family in Maplewood. After retirement from the Board, Sam built a home in the northeast Georgia mountains where he and his wife resided for 23 years before returning to New Jersey. He is survived by his wife Dolores with whom he was married for 59 years, their 9 children and 21 grandchildren. His children include daughters MarySue, Diane and husband Patrick Reed, Theresa and husband John DeNicola, daughter-in-law Terri Gilroy Defino, and sons Bobby and wife Lillian, Ricky, David and wife Kathleen, Tommy and wife Carolyn, Billy and wife Tish, and Jimmy and wife Stephanie. Grandchildren include Kristin, Bryan, Kathryn, Juliet, Desi, Beau, Samantha, Erica, Tommy, Aaron, Sammy, Kyle, John, Peter, Caroline, Michael, Rachel, Robert, Scarlet, Jesse, Daniel. In addition, Sam is survived by his sisters Corinne Cordasco and Marie Pierce, and his brother Ralph. Viewings will be held 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm on Monday, March 31 at the Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home on 101 South Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge. A funeral mass will be offered at 10am on Tuesday, April 1 in Basking Ridge at Saint James Catholic Church. For more information please call the Funeral Home at 908-766-0250 or to light an online condolence candle visit our website www.gcfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, please send donations in the name of Samuel Defino to The Adult Day Center of the VNA of Somerset Hills, NJ.