Bernice M. Gloor

Bernice M. Gloor, age 90 of Totowa, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Bernice was born to John and Estelle Maas and was raised in Paterson and West Paterson. She graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in Paterson with the Class of 1948 where she proudly received the Academic Excellence Award. She received her undergraduate degree in Education from William Paterson University with the Class of 1953 and went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Education from Montclair State University with the Class of 1956. She was a member of the Zeta Delta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, a member of the National Educators Honor Society and the Future Teachers of America. As an alumna, she proudly served as the secretary of William Paterson University's Alumni Association.

Bernice worked as an Elementary School Teacher in Totowa and is fondly remembered by many former students. In 1964 she became a partner in the family business, Boro Supply Co., in Totowa where she worked until the company closed in 2012.

Bernice met Frank E. Gloor, the love of her life, at her best friend’s wedding. Their first date took place the night that the Two Guys from Harrison store in Totowa burned down.  Frank was serving as the Assistant Fire Chief and was called to the scene. When the Fire Chief arrived, Frank told him he had to leave, as he had a date that night.  They fell in love and married on August 8, 1959, at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson. They drove to California for their honeymoon, sparking a shared life-long passion for travel. Bernice and Frank were married for 53 years and had two children, Sharon Marie and Frank Anthony.  

A devout Catholic, Bernice was a faithful parishioner at St. James of the Marches Church in Totowa. She was a member of the Rosary Society for many years and was honored with the Angel of Light Award in 2015.

Bernice will be lovingly remembered for her astute, detail-oriented, and caring approach to life. She was quiet around those she didn’t know but had a distinct laugh and was always humorous. Bernice was inherently selfless, serving as a caretaker for members of her family. For many years she would also donate her time to friends in need by helping with food shopping, distributing church bulletins and providing rides to doctor’s appointments for those who could not drive themselves.

Bernice was a life-long baseball fan and avidly rooted for the New York Mets. She was a proud member of the Totowa Happy Seniors group. Above all else, Bernice was dedicated to her grandchildren and attended activities and endeavors they were involved with.

Bernice is survived by her sister, Joan (Maas) Laurice of Oakland; son, Frank Anthony Gloor of Totowa; son-in-law, Anthony Hoffman of Totowa; daughter-in-law, Lorella Gloor of Totowa; her grandchildren: Lisa Nicole Hoffman of Bloomfield, Jessica Lynn Hoffman of Lincoln Park, Erin Nicole Gloor of Caldwell, Elizabeth Anna Palaima and her husband Jonathan Palaima of Randolph, Daniela Franca Maria Gloor and her fiancé Timothy LeCras of Westfield, Michael Anthony Hoffman of Parsippany, and Frank Aniello John Gloor and his companion Jessica Cajal of Totowa; her great-grandchildren: Sofia Gloor and Jakob Gloor; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Frank E. Gloor (d. 2012); her daughter, Sharon Marie Hoffman (d. 2019); and her brother-in-law, Salvatore Laurice (d. 2020).

Bernice will be laid to rest with her husband, Frank E. Gloor, in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lincoln Fire Company, 93 Lincoln Avenue, Totowa, NJ 07512,  and/or the Totowa First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 619, Totowa, NJ 07511, www.totowaems.org.