Edward DiPatria

Edward DiPatria, age 95, a resident of Wayne for sixty-four years, passed Sunday, January 7, 2024.

He was born in Paterson to Arturo and Emma DiPatria and moved to the Lionshead Lake section of Wayne in 1960.

He attended the Central High School in Paterson before enlisting in the United States Army on March 12, 1946 at the age of seventeen.  For his service in the Army, Ed was awarded the World War II Victory medal and the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan before departing to participate in the reconstruction of Pearl Harbor. He was honorably discharged from the Army as they were “demobilizing.”  He returned home and received his G.E.D.  He soon re-enlisted and served during the Korean War.  During his service in Korea he was assigned to a POW camp. 

Ed’s working years started as a letter carrier at the United States Post Office in Paterson. After injuring his knee, he transitioned from a letter carrier to Territory Supervisor for Garden State Farms throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties. After the company dissolved,  his career led him to Urban National Bank in Franklin Lakes. Ed stayed with the bank as it was acquired and changed names through the years before retiring in 1992.

Ed will be lovingly remembered as a dedicated family man who, much to everyone’s frustration, refused to get hearing aids. He was also famous for saying “Do First What You'll Have To Do Last.”  He was fastidious about his home, painting rooms inside innumerable times, cleaning gutters, trimming bushes, and cutting the meticulous lawn.  He was always active! Ed was also dedicated to his Wayne community and for over thirty years he volunteered at the Wayne P.A.L. where he served  wherever needed.  He eventually served as a Trustee for several of those years.  Through his years at the Wayne PAL, he always looked forward to monthly breakfasts with his PAL associates.  He also looked forward to meeting with friends for breakfast at the McDonald’s restaurant in Wayne. Ed was also politically active and volunteered on numerous campaigns, from school elections to the State Senate. In retirement, he became a Poll Worker, which he thoroughly enjoyed. 

Ed’s years of volunteering at the Wayne PAL also helped him find love a second time in life.  His first wife Irene passed away in 1983 and he dedicated his time to volunteering.  It was at a Wayne PAL Bingo game that he met who was to be his second wife, Dottie.  After a dinner date and several more, Ed asked Dottie  to marry him.  On one occasion he had purchased a beautiful ring and said “I’m going to ask you one more time – will you marry me?” Dottie said “yes”, and they were married on May 21, 1988.  They have had a wonderful marriage of thirty-five years.

Ed was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him. He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Ed is survived by his devoted wife Dottie, two sons, Scott (Laura) DiPatria and Herman (Lynn) Imperatore. One daughter, Darnell Chuck. Five grandchildren, Heather Imperatore, Zachary DiPatria, Richard Chuck, Michael Chuck and Dylan Chuck. His beloved nephew and niece,  Michael DiPatria and Pam Pugh.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Irene. Sons Edward J DiPatria, George Imperatore and son-in-law Edward Chuck. 

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Wayne P.A.L., 1 PAL Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated.