Angelo D Cirelli

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Angelo D. Cirelli, age 83, of Pompton Lakes, NJ.  Angelo passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Angelo was born in Jersey City, NJ and was the older of two children to Americo and Irene Cirelli.  He grew up in North Bergen, NJ and as a young boy he was always involved in several different sports, however, baseball in particular was his favorite.  He attended St Peter’s Prep in Jersey City during his high school years but graduated from Cliffside High School in Cliffside Park, NJ.  While a student in high school, Angelo played basketball and baseball in school and on extracurricular affiliated teams. Following his graduation from high school with the class of 1956, Angelo worked with his father at the family business, a car lot in North Bergen, NJ.  Angelo felt it in his heart to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army.   Angelo was stationed in Kansas for a short time then was shipped out to Germany where he would spend the rest of his time in the armed forces.

Subsequent to his honorable discharge from the US Army, Angelo found work quickly as a truck driver.  He was working for a company called Rentex as a truck driver and he took notice of one of the secretaries there, a young attractive girl by the name of Betty Jane Youpatoff.  It was a snowy day in winter when Angelo noticed her walking home from the office.  What really caught his eye, and what provoked him to approach her was the manner in which she walked.  Angelo and Betty Jane hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and were married on April 22, 1972.  After getting married, the couple settled in Passaic for a short time. While Betty was pregnant with her son Angelo, they moved to Pompton Lakes where their son was born and have been there ever since.

Angelo continued his career as a truck driver working for Rentex, located in Passaic, and then Aramark and Hygiene Linen, both located in Newark, NJ where he was promoted to Route Manager until retiring in 2012.  Retirement was not in the cards for Angelo, so he took a position as a flower delivery driver with Perry’s Florist in Glen Rock, NJ.  Angelo eventually fully retired about five years later due to his health concerns.

In Angelo’s spare time he enjoyed playing golf in and around the Northern New Jersey area.  He also enjoyed dining out with his wife Betty, his brother-in-law Michael and his wife Terry.  He was an avid reader of books, especially spy and suspense novels.  He loved listening to music, particularly music of the big band era, as well as Frank Sinatra.  He also enjoyed watching gangster movies such as The Godfather, Casino, and Goodfellas, and as of late treasured completing his crossword puzzles. And he was a passionate sports fan, especially of the NY Yankees and NY Giants.

Those who knew Angelo were well aware that his greatest passion in life was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to him than providing for and spending time with his family.  Although Angelo could be stubborn and a little short tempered, he was a truly caring man and was loved by his family and friends alike.  He was outgoing, funny, and had an infectious personality that brought smiles to those around him.

Angelo will forever be remembered as a devoted father, husband, and brother, as well as a true patriot.  He will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Angelo is survived by his four children: his daughters Liza Cirelli of Greer, SC, and Monique Meadows Auburn, AL, his sons Dennis Failla of Parsippany, NJ, and Angelo Cirelli of Pompton Lakes, NJ, his sister Cecelia Cirelli of Paramus, NJ, and his brother-in-law Michael Youpatoff of Toms River, NJ.  He was predeceased by his wife Betty Jane Cirelli in 2019, and by his parents Americo and Irene Cirelli.

Those planning to make a donation in Angelo’s name are asked to consider Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.  http://www.lovetotherescue.org