Clare Ramaglia

Clare N. Ramaglia (nee Johnstone), 89, of West Milford, died on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.  She had been an Underwriter for State Farm Insurance from 1972-1992 and volunteered at Shore Medical Center from 1994-2018.

Clare grew up in Passaic and graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in 1948.  She began working at the Clifton Public Library, where she first met Emil John “Biggy” Ramaglia.  Biggy came to the library frequently, always checking out books and chatting with Clare, who later learned that Biggy had little interest in reading… he just needed an excuse to talk with her. Their relationship soon blossomed and they were married on November 5, 1949 at St. Nicholas Church in Passaic.  They enjoyed a brief honeymoon at a posh New York City hotel before settling down, spending most of their married life together in Wayne, NJ.  They had a wonderful marriage and Clare doted on her beloved husband.  She was a traditional wife in every way, happily caring for their home and family, and always cooking exceptional meals.  Clare and Biggy took excellent care of each other and loved each other very much during the sixty-three years that they were married.  They enjoyed summer vacations at Lavallette with their children and family for many years, visited the Catskills often, took bus trips to Nova Scotia, and celebrated a multitude of happy times together.  Clare was heartbroken to lose Biggy in 2012, but she remained stoically resilient and persevered in the years following.  They had moved to Ocean City, NJ in 1993, where Clare continued to live until she eventually relocated to West Milford in 2019.

Clare is survived by her five children: Christine Colabelli of Pompton Lakes, Susan McCrostie and her husband Glenn of Mt. Tabor, NJ, James Ramaglia of Ocean City, NJ, Paul Ramaglia of W. Milford, NJ, and John Ramaglia and his wife Debbi of Woodstock, GA; seven grandchildren: Anthony Colabelli and his wife Christine, Matthew Colabelli and his wife Jamie, Jesse McCrostie and his wife Jeanna, Janice McCrostie, Gina McCrostie, Nicholas Ramaglia, and Jenna Ramaglia; four great-grandchildren: Anthony, Scarlett, Layah, and Levi; and one sister: Florence Pallarino and her husband Mike of Chatham.  Clare was predeceased by her husband, Emil John in 2012, and by her sister Elizabeth “Betty” Spaldo in 2016.

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.