Goal Surpassed In Hopatcong Parents' Fundraiser For Their Child's Funeral Costs

HOPATCONG, NJ — Donations are still trickling in and the goal was exceeded for a GoFundMe fundraiser a grief-stricken father set up in memory of his only son, who unexpectedly died in his sleep late last month.

Paul Musolino and Tammy Dunn, the parents of the boy Mario Musolino, 9, wrote in a message at the fundraiser's introduction on Oct. 6 that they were “absolutely devastated by Mario’s passing and are struggling to find the funds to cover the cost of the service.”

Those costs, they said included $5,000 in cemetery charges for the mausoleum for their child at the Newton Cemetery Mausoleum where he was interred on Oct. 10, as well as the visitation and funeral on Oct. 8 and 9, which the parents explained tallied to about $12,000.

For the mausoleum and all services related to the funeral expenses, Paul Musolino said he and Dunn owed all of the money to Smith-McCracken Funeral Home by Oct. 31.

Their fund drive raised about $13,000 of the $17,000 goal by Oct. 12, when Patch first reported on the tragedy. As of Friday the drive has raised over $24,000.

“The outpouring of love is overwhelming,” Musolino wrote, as they neared the fundraising goal. “I am glad my son touched so many lives and brought joy while he was alive.”

The topic of the fundraiser itself raised a number of discussions on all sides, some generally complaining about the expenses of funerals, other suggesting Musolino and Dunn should have pared down the costs of their son’s final expenses, others defending the fundraiser and parents’ decision about the services and child's resting place.

The chatter prompted Musolino to post a message on the GoFundMe page about costs they faced beyond the funeral home, including monies for the pastor and lost wages.

“Bills still had to be paid, these are all funeral-related expenses,” Musolino said. “I hope it never happens to you.”

Musolino wrote that he never purchased a new car or home while his son was alive.

“This was the last thing I could buy or do for him and the monument will literally last forever compared to any of those things,” Musolino said.

To view the GoFundMe drive for Mario Musolino's funeral expenses, visit www.gofundme.com/f/donations-for-mario-musolino-funeral-expenses.

RELATED: Hopatcong Boy, 9, Unexpectedly Dies In His Sleep

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.