Bernice Acker

Bernice Acker (nee Darro), age 77, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Monday, January 24, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Bernice was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and was the youngest of six children, only child of Arturo Sangenario and Angelina Darro.  Bernice and her mother moved from Brooklyn to Totowa, NJ when Bernice was a teenager.  Following her formal education, Bernice worked in a garment factory in New York, owned by her family.  Later in life, she was employed by the Passaic County Court House in Paterson as a Security Guard and also as part of the maintenance department.  Bernice was employed at the court house for many years throughout the 1990’s.  While living in Paterson, Bernice welcomed the births of her first two children, Maria and James.  After a few years she and her family moved to Totowa where she had her third child, Thomas.  Her fourth child, Joy, was born in Wayne shortly after moving there in 1976.  Bernice remained in Wayne for many years raising her four children.

Bernice held several jobs while her oldest children were young and decided that she would become a full time homemaker shortly after the birth of her 3rd child.  This was truly Bernice’s calling and where she genuinely flourished.  She was an extremely devoted mother, always being there for her children when they needed her.  She was also a very active member of the Randall Carter Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) throughout the years her children were in elementary school.  She was also well known in the community for selling her "Chocolate Treats" that she made for all occasions.

In 1998, Bernice moved to one of her favorite places in the world, the state of Florida.  Although she loved living in Florida, Bernice moved back to Wayne, New Jersey when her first grandchild was born.  Ever since then, Bernice has been the typical “Snow Bird,” spending her winters in Florida and her summers in New Jersey.  Bernice was a long time member of the Wayne Elks Lodge #2181, and was one of the first of two females to be inducted as a member Elk.  She was also a Past President of the Wayne Elks Ladies Auxiliary Organization.   Over the years, Bernice acted as the Wayne Elks “Banquet Chef”, cooking for many of their events and fundraisers.
It was no surprise that Bernice was the banquet chef for the Elks, being that she was an outstanding cook.  Her proud Italian heritage was the root of her recipes and she was especially famous with family and friends for her Italian red sauce, pasta dishes, and her holiday stuffoli (honey balls). Bernice enjoyed salt water fishing and crabbing, and treasured fishing in the St John’s River in Florida.  She also frequented Atlantic City, NJ, where she loved trying her luck at the slots.  She loved spending time in Little Egg Harbor at the Jersey Shore in her family-owned shore house.  For many years, while her children were growing up, Bernice took her family on camping trips up and down the entire east coast of the United States roughing it in tents, driving in RVs, and various other driving excursions.  She took great pride in building giant bon fires to warm everyone at the campsite.

Bernice was a lady who always spoke her mind.  She was straight forward with everyone she met, so you always knew where you stood with Bernice.  Not only was she straightforward with people, but she was not at all afraid or embarrassed to let the profanity fly, and fly it did!  Bernice was never good with remembering names.  In fact, you knew you were part of the family once Bernice called you by the wrong name or called you "What's Your Face".  Aside from all of her talents, interests and hobbies, her greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Bernice than spending time with and providing for her family.  She was a truly devoted mother and grandmother.  Throughout the years, Bernice affectionately earned the names of “Bobbi”, “Mema”, and “Nana” by her ten grandchildren.  She also earned the title "Ma", "Aunt Bernice",  and "Grandma" by countless other extended family members, friends, and loved ones.  Bernice was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew her.

Bernice is survived by her four children; her daughter Maria DeLuca-Pranzo and her husband Gary of Wayne, NJ, her son James DeLuca and his wife Wendy of Prescott Valley, AZ, her son Thomas Acker of Wayne, NJ, and her daughter Joy Bucher and her husband Michael of Mount Bethel, PA, one brother Edward Darro and his wife Claudette of Sloatsburg, NY, nine grandchildren; Tiffany Bucher of Mount Bethel, PA, Brittany Bucher of Mount Bethel, PA, Michael Bucher of Mount Bethel, PA, Christy Bucher of Mount Bethel, PA, Ace Bucher of Mount Bethel, PA, Samantha Pranzo of Wayne, NJ, Ruth DeLuca of Prescott Valley, AZ, Jonathan DeLuca of Prescott Valley, AZ, and Abby DeLuca of Prescott Valley, AZ, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Bernice was predeceased by her first husband James DeLuca, her second husband Norman Acker, her grandson Fernando Pranzo in 2006, her two sisters Dolores Lemmo and Joan Reiser, and her two brothers Thomas Darro and Jacob Darro.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernice’s honor for the ongoing care of her son, Thomas Acker, 14 Chicopee Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470.