Funeral Arrangements Set For Former Mendham Firefighter, 92

MENDHAM, N.J.– A 58-year veteran of the Mendham Fire Department died Monday after an illness, the department announced.

Liber "Lee" Panella was 92.

Panella, an Army veteran, joined the MFD in Dec. 1958 and became exempt in 1966.

He worked as a dairy manager for the Budd Lake A&P before retiring.

He died while residing at Memory Care Center in Chester.

Pannella is survived by his wife, Marion Simmons Pannella; son Daniel Panella; daughter-in-law Carol; daughter Janice Legg; sisters Carmela "Dolly" Bochino and Rose DiFalco; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home.

Fire department services will take place at 6 p.m.

Funeral services are scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. mass at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, where Panella was a parishioner.

Image courtesy Mendham Fire Department