Bernard W. Cicirelli, 86, of Wayside passed away at peace on May 24th, 2019. He was born on December 16, 1932 to the late Ralph Cicirelli and Teresa Belmonte in West New York, NJ, where he was raised. While in high school, Bernard played basketball, which would remain a source of joy and community throughout …
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Bernard W. Cicirelli, 86, of Wayside passed away at peace on May 24th, 2019.
He was born on December 16, 1932 to the late Ralph Cicirelli and Teresa Belmonte in West New York, NJ, where he was raised.
While in high school, Bernard played basketball, which would remain a source of joy and community throughout his life, and through which he met the love of his life, cheerleader, and future wife Loretta Perri.
He then went on to attend Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, where he continued to play basketball. He was named an All-American player and was eventually inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. His warm and friendly personality led him to make lifelong friends and connections at Saint Peter’s College, which began a three-generation legacy at the school, with several of his children and grandchildren attending Saint Peter’s College, too. Bernard was also involved in ROTC at Saint Peter’s, and after graduation, he married Loretta, and began serving our country as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army beginning in 1955.
The couple then moved to Chambersburg, PA, where they started a family. After serving in the Army, he and Loretta returned to NJ, and opened a large printing business, Peacock Publications, acting as the company’s president and owner for over 50 years. They raised their four children in Hasbrouck Heights before moving down the shore over thirty years ago. They were happily married for 55 years.
Bernie and Loretta loved spending time together, and truly enjoyed each other’s company. Along with family and friends, they attended over 26 NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments, and loved traveling and dining out. In their later years, basketball continued to be a big part of their lives, as they would often attend their grandchildren’s games as their biggest fans and could be heard cheering them on from the sidelines. Their biggest joy in life was spending time with family and watching their children and grandchildren grow up.
Bernie is predeceased by his wife Loretta Perri Cicirelli, and his sister Nancy DiSclafani.
Surviving are his 4 children: Lynne Thomasey and her husband James of Wayside, Bernard Cicirelli, Jr. and his wife Anna of Montville, Diane Rinaldi and her husband Joseph of Colts Neck, and Daniel Cicirelli of Kearny. Bernard will also be fondly remembered by his brother and “pal” Ralph Cicirelli and his wife Phyllis. His greatest pride and joy were his 10 grandchildren, Victoria (Michael), Stephen (Chessie), Joseph (Kaitlyn), Robert (Stephanie), Daniel, Laura (Mark), Melanie, Matthew, Joseph, and Catherine, and his 6 precious great-grandchildren, Olivia, Liam, Sofia, Finley, Juliana, and Nora.
A viewing will be at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733 from 2-5pm on Sunday, June 2nd.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Gabriel’s Historic Church, 549 County Rd 520, Marlboro, NJ 07746 at 10:30am on Monday, June 3rd. Entombment is to follow at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery & Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bernard’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; stjude.org. To leave a message of condolence, please visit Bernard’s memorial tribute page at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com
Brandon
left a message on June 4, 2019:
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a loved one in death is such a difficult thing to cope with. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Bernard during this time. Cherish the memories. Please find comfort in knowing that God views death as an "enemy" and will act to end it forever (1st Cor 15:26). God's Word also promises a time in the future where we can all have a hope of seeing our dead loved ones again (John 5:28,29). A beautiful hope. Take care.
Ralph Cicirelli
left a message on June 3, 2019:
My brother was a gifted athlete and a world class gentleman. I will always cherish the special relationship we shared. Throughout our lives we never referred to each other by name, we always referred to each other as Pal. We were brothers by birth but pals by choice.
We all heard it said you can choose your friends but you can't choose your relatives. Well, perhaps the greatest tribute I can give my brother is to say, if I could choose my relatives there was no one on the planet I would rather have as a brother than my pal Bernie.
May he have eternal peace.
BOB EICKMEYER
left a message on June 1, 2019:
Ralph & Phyllis: Linda & I are sorry for your loss. I read how close you were to him.
I was planning on going to the wake this Sunday, but we are going to our grandson's 7th birthday party that day. May your brother RIP.
Bill Belmonte
left a message on June 1, 2019:
Ralph, Phyllis and Bernie's family, we are sorry for your loss. There are so many wonderful and treasured memories. May the blessings of our lord and savior be with you during this time
Bill and Dale Belmonte
Emporia , Virginia
Dewayne & Krystal Rahe
left a message on May 30, 2019:
Ralph and Phyllis,
Dewayne and I are so sorry to learn of your loss of Bernie. We will always remember at Jeff and Elisha's wedding how he and Loretta danced and had such fun together. Also, they were the longest married couple and beamed as that fine accomplishment was announced at the reception dance.
Know that you and your family will remain in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
May God bless.
Dewayne and Krystal
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Mel
left a message on May 30, 2019:
I am sorry to hear about the passing of your loved one. There is nothing that can prepare us for a moment like this,. However, Bible can bring us a measure of comfort as it gives us insight in to what happens to those who have died. Ecclesiastes 9:5 say that “they know nothing at all”, it is liken to sleep and at Acts 24:15 assures is of God’s longing to bring back to life those who have died. May these hope and promises from God’s word the Bible give you and your family a measure of comfort and strength not only now but in the days to come. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill weigel,marie weigel
left a message on May 29, 2019:
Ralph/phyllis so very sorry for your loss.i
Know how much you will miss your brother.i am sorry th hat I won't be there for the viewing.i am in Florida with my sister.who just loss her husband
Roberta Beehler
left a message on May 29, 2019:
Bernie was always my hero. I admired him greatly. He was well known, and many times when I would tell my name to someone.. they would reply, "Are you related to Bernie Cicirelli?" I would reply proudly I was. He was all a man should be. A loving husband, proud father, cherished grand dad. He was also a great cousin. He will be missed by many.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Brandon
left a message on June 4, 2019:
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a loved one in death is such a difficult thing to cope with. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Bernard during this time. Cherish the memories. Please find comfort in knowing that God views death as an "enemy" and will act to end it forever (1st Cor 15:26). God's Word also promises a time in the future where we can all have a hope of seeing our dead loved ones again (John 5:28,29). A beautiful hope. Take care.
Ralph Cicirelli
left a message on June 3, 2019:
My brother was a gifted athlete and a world class gentleman. I will always cherish the special relationship we shared. Throughout our lives we never referred to each other by name, we always referred to each other as Pal. We were brothers by birth but pals by choice.
We all heard it said you can choose your friends but you can't choose your relatives. Well, perhaps the greatest tribute I can give my brother is to say, if I could choose my relatives there was no one on the planet I would rather have as a brother than my pal Bernie.
May he have eternal peace.
BOB EICKMEYER
left a message on June 1, 2019:
Ralph & Phyllis: Linda & I are sorry for your loss. I read how close you were to him.
I was planning on going to the wake this Sunday, but we are going to our grandson's 7th birthday party that day. May your brother RIP.
Bill Belmonte
left a message on June 1, 2019:
Ralph, Phyllis and Bernie's family, we are sorry for your loss. There are so many wonderful and treasured memories. May the blessings of our lord and savior be with you during this time
Bill and Dale Belmonte
Emporia , Virginia
Dewayne & Krystal Rahe
left a message on May 30, 2019:
Ralph and Phyllis,
Dewayne and I are so sorry to learn of your loss of Bernie. We will always remember at Jeff and Elisha's wedding how he and Loretta danced and had such fun together. Also, they were the longest married couple and beamed as that fine accomplishment was announced at the reception dance.
Know that you and your family will remain in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
May God bless.
Dewayne and Krystal
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Mel
left a message on May 30, 2019:
I am sorry to hear about the passing of your loved one. There is nothing that can prepare us for a moment like this,. However, Bible can bring us a measure of comfort as it gives us insight in to what happens to those who have died. Ecclesiastes 9:5 say that “they know nothing at all”, it is liken to sleep and at Acts 24:15 assures is of God’s longing to bring back to life those who have died. May these hope and promises from God’s word the Bible give you and your family a measure of comfort and strength not only now but in the days to come. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill weigel,marie weigel
left a message on May 29, 2019:
Ralph/phyllis so very sorry for your loss.i
Know how much you will miss your brother.i am sorry th hat I won't be there for the viewing.i am in Florida with my sister.who just loss her husband
Roberta Beehler
left a message on May 29, 2019:
Bernie was always my hero. I admired him greatly. He was well known, and many times when I would tell my name to someone.. they would reply, "Are you related to Bernie Cicirelli?" I would reply proudly I was. He was all a man should be. A loving husband, proud father, cherished grand dad. He was also a great cousin. He will be missed by many.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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