Michael Canta, Seasoned News Man and St. Mary's Parisioner, Dies at 76

Michael J. Canta, 78, of Colts Neck passed away on Friday, April 5, 2013 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, N.J.  He was born in Lyndhurst, N.J. and lived in Lodi, Brick and Lakewood before moving here in December.  

Michael was a member of the Mailer’s Union Local 6, New York City for thirty years before his retirement in 1990. During his career he worked at the Newark Star Ledger, the Newark Evening News, The Chicago Tribune Co., the New York Daily News, and the New York Times. Michael was also a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Colts Neck.

He  is survived by his wife of 52 years, Raphael (Rae);  his son and daughter-in law Mario Anthony and Lisa Canta of Colts Neck; his daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Gary Federico of Colts Neck;  his sister Katherine Parillo of Lyndhurst, and five grandchildren; Kelsey Lee Canta, Garrett Michael Federico, Dakota Lee Canta, Michael Andrew Federico, and Carson Rae Federico.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Relatives and friends may gather at 8 a.m. on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at the Funeral Home for a procession to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road in Colts Neck for his 9 a.m. Funeral Mass. Committal will follow at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Michael’s nephew Anthony "AJ" Mistretta (Rastocky) to Autism Speaks at http://events.autismspeaks.org/tributes/AnthonyAJMistrettaRastocky would be appreciated.

For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visitwww.claytonfuneralhome.com