Peter Anthony Maraldo

Peter Anthony Maraldo, of Totowa, passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022, exactly 65 years after the day he was born, surrounded by his children and best friend.

Born in Passaic, Peter was the firstborn child of Peter Richard and Margaret (Baldino) Maraldo. He grew up in Nutley, NJ where he excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. Following graduation in 1975 he promptly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served his country.

Peter was a Sheriff’s Officer with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. He entered the academy and during the course of his career in law enforcement, he served as a detective in the Anti-Crime Division until his retirement. In his early twenties, he met Luisa Lucci, where he soon showed his true colors when he met her in a parking lot outside of their work, and playfully handcuffed her and told her she had to break up with her present boyfriend. She actually did and they eventually married on Sunday, April 29, 1984 at St. Michael’s Church in Paterson. Following the wedding, Peter and Luisa moved to their first home on Arlington Avenue in Paterson. In 1985, they moved to Totowa Avenue in Paterson and soon after welcomed their firstborn, a son which they named Peter Paul. Four years later they welcomed their second child, a daughter which they named Michelle.

Upon retirement from the Sheriff’s Department, Pete kept himself busy as a personal trainer, in private security, and in construction as a heavy machinery operator. Those pursuits kept him occupied and reasonably happy and fulfilled until the blessing of grandchildren changed everything. He simply adored Abigail, Adelynn, and little Gianna who was born just four months ago. Like any good grandfather, he loved to spoil them and take them for walks, trips to the park and out to eat at one of his favorite places – Jersey Johnny’s in Woodland Park. When not with his grandchildren Pete liked to work out at Gold’s Gym in Totowa, he liked watching his favorite football team – the Green Bay Packers, and he liked doing home improvement projects at his son’s house. Pete loved his kids and grandkids and would do anything for them.  

Pete is survived by his son Peter Paul Maraldo and wife Kerri of Cedar Grove and his daughter Michelle Maraldo-Colon and husband Sam of Woodland Park; three grandchildren: Abigail, Adelynn, and Gianna; his mother Margaret Doeffinger of Lakewood; his sister Diane Radice of Freehold; his niece Danielle Radice and fiancé Louis of Freehold; and his former wife and friend Luisa Maraldo of Woodland Park. He was predeceased by his father Peter Richard Maraldo in 2009 and by his brother-in-law Scott Radice in 2009.                

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Peter’s name are asked to consider:

The Chapel
264 Jacksonville Road
Lincoln Park, NJ 07035