Edward A. Tumminello

Edward A Tumminello, age 60, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2020, at Chilton Memorial hospital, while receiving the loving care of his family.

Edward was born and raised in the Township of Wayne, and was the younger of two children to Edward and Florence Tumminello.  His mother doted on him, his dad was his buddy, and Ed and his sister "Betty Ann", although 8 years apart, were very close.  While growing up, Ed’s father along with his uncles, owned the T-Bowl Bowling Alley in Wayne (Hence, the T in T-Bowl).  There was no surprise that Ed became an outstanding bowler and earned the position of Captain of the Wayne Hills Bowling Team.  Ed loved sports, playing Little League Baseball, where he is still known as the most feared pitcher in the league, and basketball for the Wayne Boys Club.  Sports, especially bowling and baseball, would be passions that Edward carried throughout the remainder of his life.

After graduating from Wayne Hills High School with the class of 1978, Ed was offered a full bowling scholarship at the University of Kentucky.  Ed's father was ill at the time, and family always came first.  Ed decided to stay close to home and attend William Paterson College, where he studied Business.  During his time as a child, the family sold the T-Bowl business and formed Dee Jays Amusements, where Ed also worked with his dad for many years.  When Ed was in his third year of college, his father became seriously ill, prompting Ed to leave school and run the carnival business with his dad's partners.  In 1986,  Ed merged Dee Jay Amusements with State Fair Amusements in Belleville.  His children and their friends thought Ed had the coolest job, and they enjoyed many nights at carnivals throughout NJ.   Ed remained a partner until 2009, when he had to leave for various reasons.  Unfortunately, he was never able to return to work and was forced into retirement due to his illness. Ed fought long and hard through multiple illnesses and setbacks through the last 10 years.  He was an inspiration to many, with a positive attitude, and always came through like a champ.

Ed and Elaine had many mutual friends in high school.  In May of 1979, Ed ran into an attractive young woman by the name of Elaine Ambrogio, whom he had attended middle school and high school with.  With Ed being on the shy side, and Elaine the total opposite, she snatched Ed’s watch and told him if he wanted it back, he would have to meet her that night, at a bar called Moustache Pete's, where mutual friends were gathering.  Ed showed up, and from then on, it was always Ed and Elaine.  They had a large group of friends and they enjoyed many good times with them.  Ed could usually be found at the Meadowlands with his buddies.  Ed and Elaine fell in love, dated for 7 years, and were married on October 5, 1986.  They settled in Clifton immediately after getting married but in 1988, moved back to Wayne to Ed's childhood home. During their time living in Wayne they welcomed the births of all three of their sons, Edward in 1989, Nicholas in 1992, and Justin in 1995.  They were fortunate enough to enjoy a great neighborhood, where they had a large group of families that became and still are some of their closest friends. Ed and Elaine enjoyed 34 years of marriage together.

Edward and Elaine participated in a bowling league together throughout the years. For many years, Ed coached Little League Baseball and both basketball and baseball at the Wayne PAL, where he was also a Trustee. He inspired his teams with confidence and a positive attitude to bring out the best in them.  Ed was a dedicated father.  Although he worked long hours, he never missed any of his boys sporting events. Ed and Elaine were active volunteers in the PTA and in the Wayne Hills Football program. He enjoyed the four years while his son Nick played, and as a senior dad, he became in charge of blowing up the giant helmet the team ran through during home games.  His sons were his pride and joy, and coaching them and attending their games made him so proud.  He and his sons also attended many Giants, Met and Devil's games together. They went to many WWE events, as they all loved professional wrestling.  Besides sports, Ed also enjoyed frequenting the Meadowlands for horseracing and going to Atlantic City for his favorite game, Blackjack.  Through the years Ed and his family treasured vacationing at the Jersey Shore every summer, particularly in Lavallette with his sister and nieces and nephew and their children. As a group of 21 people, they took over the Starlight Motel and this was something Ed would look forward to every year.  He loved the ocean and the Jersey shore.

Ed’s greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Ed than providing for, and spending time with his family.  He was happiest when everyone was together for large birthday celebrations and holidays.  He was a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews and their children.  He was also Uncle Ed to many of their close friend's children, who adored him.  As their children got older and Ed was at home, a group of their friends and his nephew Jason, would spend every Monday, Thursday and Sunday at the Tumminello house, watching football with him, and every other sport imaginable. They played poker and his favorite card game Skat with him, on many occasions.  He cherished these moments and looked forward to his Fantasy Football draft with them, and enjoyed arguing over trades and picks during the season. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Edward is survived by his wife Elaine (nee Ambrogio), his three sons Edward Tumminello , Nicholas Tumminello, and Justin Tumminello all of Wayne, one sister, Elizabeth Ann Nabba and her husband Raymond of Mountaintop, PA, his nieces and nephews, Tracy Scala and her husband Anthony, Randi Nochumson and her husband Dr. Joshua Nochumson, Kelly Federico and her husband Jim, Jason Nabba, his mother-in-law Mildred Ambrogio, his sister-in-law Cindy Dolan and her husband Bill, niece and nephew Demi and Jon Dolan, his in-laws Tom and Donna Van Sickell, nephew Thomas Van Sickell and his wife Kelly, and his niece Lisa Farley; Ed is also survived by ten great nieces and nephews and numerous cousins who adored him.

The Tumminello family would also like to thank all the medical professionals who helped Ed through the last 10 years.  They are eternally grateful for the care and dedication they gave to Ed..