Orlando “Lon” Fila

Orlando “Lon” Paul Fila, age 93 of Boonton passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020.

Lon was born to Jack and Flora Fila in North Bergen, NJ.  He graduated from Cliffside Park High School in 1943.

He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and served in World War II as Radioman Third Class until his discharge in July, 1946, 8 months of which were spent in the South Pacific area.  He then re-enlisted and served during the Korean War until his discharge in 1954.

Lon met the love of his life, his beautiful wife of 64 years, Evelyn “Evey” Marie Schneider (d. November 17, 2011), through mutual friends.  They married on April 13, 1947 at Our Lady of Liberia Church, West New York.  At that time, Lon was employed by The Home Insurance Company in New York City where he continued his employment, when not serving in the military, until 1964.  While Lon worked full time, he also enrolled in New York University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959.  In 1964 he began a long career with Shop Rite of Boonton as store manager and then for Shop Rite Liquors in Lincoln Park until his retirement in 1988.

Lon and Evey started their family in 1950 when they lived in Edgewater.  They eventually settled in Pequannock in 1954 and enjoyed raising their 4 children there until 1988 when they moved to Barnegat Township to enjoy what they loved most – fishing, crabbing, boating and having their children and grandchildren for extended stays to enjoy it with.  In the early years when his children were young, Lon was a scout master and a little league umpire.  He loved being involved in the community, and after retirement he was known to make weekly trips to the Barnegat Food Pantry to bring donations from Brighton at Barnegat where he and Evey lived.  He wrote the monthly newsletter for his community, was very involved with the politics of his community, and never hesitated to write a letter to his congressman or senator to express what was on his mind and how improvements could be made for the benefit of his community.  He never threw anything out that he could “fix”.  He taught a Defensive Drivers Safety Course; as a result he knew the speed limit on every road he traveled, and made sure you knew it too!  He participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Barnegat High School which opened in September, 2004, and helped build one of the many recreational parks for the Barnegat youth.  He and Evey loved to travel and made many trips in their camper to Florida, out West and to Cape Hatteras where their favorite campground was a dune away from the beach.  One of his favorite hobbies was tuning up cars and was so upset when he could no longer tinker with the computerized engines.

Lon will be remembered as a man who devoted his life to his loving wife and children who he raised to be honest, loyal, ethical, and most importantly, to treat others as equals and as we would want to be treated.  He always looked for ways to help people, whether a friend or stranger, and was loved by all who knew him.  He had a great sense of humor and would always see the bright side of any situation.  He did not dwell on things out of his control and was always striving for precision in everything he did. He lived a life of service to his community, his country and to God.  For many years he was a devout member of the Holy Name Society and dedicated many hours in 1960 to help build the north wing of Holy Spirit Church in Pequannock.

Lon will be profoundly missed by his loving children, Craig and his wife Peggy of Boonton, Denita Laprezioso and her husband Phil of Naples, Florida, Teresa Nystrom and her husband Dwight of Pompton Lakes, Patricia Zonsa of Brick and her fiancé Alan Mitnick; cherished grandfather of Nicholas Laprezioso and his wife Elena, Sarah Nystrom and her fiancé Vincent Wood and Michael Zonsa; and great grandfather of Riley and Jacob Laprezioso; step-grandfather of Marie Evans, her husband Frank of Boonton and their three children Jamie, Shelby and Anthony.  He was also the loved brother of Norma Davidson (d. October 2019) and the loved father-in-law of Michael Zonsa (d. November 2007).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Lon’s honor may be sent to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.