Anthony David Gerleit

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anthony David Gerleit, age 73, of Wayne, NJ.

Anthony passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Anthony was born in Pequannock at Chilton Hospital and raised in the Pines Lake section of Wayne.  He was one of five sons to Warren and Marilyn Gerleit. Those who got to know Anthony knew him best as “Tony”.  While growing up in Wayne, Tony attended Wayne Hills High School and excelled in athletics.  He was on the Wayne Hills High School wrestling team as well as their varsity soccer team.  Tony graduated from high school in 1968, which was Wayne Hills High School’s first graduating class.  Following his graduation from high school, Tony went on to Graham Junior College in Boston, MA where he earned his Associates degree. 

Not long after earning his college degree, Tony fulfilled his responsibilities to his country and enlisted in the United States Army in 1971.  While serving in the Army, Tony was stationed in Worms, Germany where he made lifelong friends whom he kept in touch with for many years.  He served honorably and proudly from 1971 until 1974.

Tony was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1974 and settled in Baton Rouge Louisiana for a few years.  While residing there, he was contracted to work with one of the major petroleum companies.  Over the next several years, Tony made his way back up to the tri state area and moved to Long Island, NY.  During that time, Tony began his lifelong career in the retail and wholesale Industry. 

For more than thirty years, Tony traveled the world buying and selling in retail and wholesale.  Tony specialized in Christmas décor and merchandise.  He traveled throughout the entire world year-round buying and selling a wide variety of Christmas products and paraphernalia.  Tony was most recently employed by Regency International in New York City.  Tony sincerely loved his work and was truly loved and respected in his industry and by his colleagues. 

Christmas was always a very special time of the year for Tony.  Fortunately, he worked in the industry that allowed him to enjoy Christmas all year long.

Tony moved back to New Jersey, living in Ringwood for a time then eventually back to his roots in the Pines Lake section of Wayne in 2013.  Wherever he resided, Tony’s house, his friends’ homes, as well as his family’s homes, were always decorated wonderfully for the holidays.  Where most people usually only have one Christmas tree in the home, Tony had five, and they were all fully and beautifully decorated. 

A few of Tony’s favorite pastimes were skiing and sailing.  As a young boy he treasured sailing on Pines Lake where he grew up.  Later as an adult he earned his Captain’s License and sailed mostly on the ocean, traveling to a variety of destinations around the world including the Caribbean and Thailand.  Growing up, Tony and his family cherished their yearly vacations to Long Beach Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Outer Banks. 

Tony was often a quiet and reserved gentleman.  He was giving, empathetic, and had a wonderfully positive attitude about everything.  He brought out the best in his family and friends.  Tony always surrounded himself with kindhearted and good-natured people.  He was often selfless, putting the wants and needs of his friends and family before his own.  Those who knew Tony best, knew that his greatest passions in life were his family and friends.  Nothing in the world meant more to Tony than spending time with the people he loved.  Tony was a very special person who touched the lives of everyone around him.  He will be missed by all those that were fortunate enough to have known him.

Tony is survived by his four brothers; Randy Gerleit and his wife Linda of Lebanon, NJ, Steven Gerleit and his wife Pat of Harrison, NY, Carl Gerleit of Phoenix, AZ, and Andrew Gerleit and his wife Christine of Wayne NJ, ten nieces and nephews; Krista, Katie, Steven, Erin, Kelly, Stephanie, Alexis, Brianna, Derek, and Chelsea, and seven grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his nephew Kevin Gerleit, by his sister-in-law Suzanne Gerleit, and by his parents Warren and Marilyn Gerleit.

Those planning to make a donation in Anthony's name are asked to consider Friends of Laurel Wood Arboretum, PO Box 2433, Wayne NJ 07474 www.laurelwoodarboretum.org