Anthony J. Varsalone, Decorated World War II Vet, Dies At 96

Courtesy of the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals

Anthony A. "Tony" Varsalone of Holiday City in Berkeley Township passed away peacefully at his daughter's house on Nov. 25, surrounded by his family. He was 96.

Anthony was born and raised in Jersey City, before he moved to Toms River. Anthony was born on Nov. 11, 1921 and was the son of Salvatore and Alfonzina Varsalone. He was a proud U.S. Army Veteran having served our country during WWII where he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Distinguished Service Medal before he was honorably discharged (1938-1945) after being injured.

He attended Rutgers University and Brooklyn Engineering and Trade School and eventually went on to be director of engineering and plant operations for the Jersey City Medical Center, where he worked for 40 years from 1945-1985.

Anthony couldn't be prouder to have his birthday on the same day as Veteran's Day. He was very active in many veteran organizations. He organized and presided as president of Ocean County Deceased Veteran's Memorial Association. He was a member of VFW Post 10185 Ocean County, Commander of Catholic War Veteran units and served on State and National Board of Officers, served as a State V.A.V.S (Veteran's Affairs Voluntary Services) representative of East Orange Veteran's Hospital, a life member D.A.V. Chapter 24 Toms River, a member of the Purple Heart Association of Ocean County, and past President of the Italian- American Club of Ocean County; He received both national and state veterans' awards, the Hall of Fame Hospital Volunteer Award (V.A.V.S) 5,000 hours nationally, the St. Sebastian Award, Veteran of the Year Award along with five Dist. G Service Medals from national commanders.

He was predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Varsalone, four brothers; Harry, Pete, Joe, and Frank, three sisters; Mary, Carmella, and Jean, and his daughter-in-law Ann Marie Varsalone. Anthony is survived by his two children, Joanne Hine and her husband Bob, and his son Anthony Varsalone; six grandchildren; Robert Hine (Bonnie), Brian Hine (Diane), Lisa Larson (Rob), Michele Leblo (Jimmy), Donna Varsalone, and Janine Basile (John); 15 great-grandchildren; Robbie (Christina), Christopher and Jamie Hine, Jennifer, Jessica and Valerie Hine, Michael, Megan and Lauren Larson, Nicole and Jimmy Leblo, Debra Gibson, Alyssa, Alexa, and Brandon Basile and three great-great-grandchildren, Jameson and Roman Hine, and Lucas Pileggi.

Our family wants to thank Lisa and Maggie from Caring Hospice services and Susan from On-Call. You are angels from Heaven. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Maximilian Kolbe R.C. Church in Berkeley Twp. Burial will follow to the BG William C. Doyle Veteran Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ.

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