With profound sadness and broken hearts, we announce the passing of Rev. Ronald J Cioffi, who peacefully passed away surrounded by his family and in God’s embrace on March 12, 2025.

    The son of Henry Michael Cioffi and Jean Elizabeth Cioffi (Strollo), Fr. Ron was born and raised in his beloved Long Branch, N.J.  Along with his older brother, former Mayor Henry “Skip” Cioffi, he spent many happy hours growing up and working in the family business, the iconic Harry’s Luncheonette, formerly located at 85 Brighton Ave. in West End.  There, he interacted with the many colorful characters who made visits to Harry’s a daily ritual, and where he developed his favorite hobby, horse racing, relishing visits to Monmouth Park with his Dad.

    Ron felt the calling to God’s service while serving as an altar boy at Holy Trinity Church, and was encouraged by his earliest mentors, Fr. Gerald Celentano and Fr. James Cammisa.

      After graduating from Red Bank Catholic High School, Fr. Ron prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles Seminary, Catonsville, Md., and St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore. He also held a Master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y., and a second Master’s degree in ecumenicism from Princeton Theological Seminary.

     After his ordination on May 31, 1969, he was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Joachin Parish in Trenton, St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, and St. Mary Parish in South Amboy.

     Fr. Ron then became a faculty member at St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park, Maryland, from 1977 to 1981, and began his more than 30-year ministry at St. Joseph Parish in Keyport as parochial vicar, temporary administrator and then as pastor in 1989.

    In addition to his duties as pastor, Fr. Ron devoted much effort as part-time director of the diocesan Office of Social Concerns and introduced a variety of parish ministries, including a vital and active St. Vincent de Paul Society, a health ministry, and a Haitian committee where parishioners provided an outreach to that struggling nation.

    Throughout his life he engaged in political and policy matters as he believed that God invites us to share with each other peace and joy, for ourselves and for the world.  In his words “They are what He hopes for us and from us.”

   Fr. Ron was especially interested in promoting the Church’s outreach to the LGBT community, and tireless in support of the Catholic Worker established by Dorothy Day, where he made weekly visits, saying Mass and delivering donations of clothing and food collected by his parishioners.

   His retirement as pastor in 2016 did not end his ministry.  He said weekly Mass for the Brothers at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, and the Sisters of the Good Shephard, Wickatunk, as well as filling in for Sunday Masses at many local parishes and visiting local hospital and nursing home patients.

    In his spare time, Fr. Ron could often be seen at Monmouth Park cheering on his choices to the finish line, taking in the latest movies at art film houses in New York City, reveling in masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or indulging his love of Puccini and Verdi at The Metropolitan Opera. He also loved to travel and treasured most the trips with his closest friends to Italy, Greece, Germany, Panama, Spain and Portugal.

   Fr. Ron is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Henry R. Cioffi and his nephew Michael Cioffi.

     He is survived by his brother, Dr. Robert Cioffi and his partner, Victor Zak of Atlantic Highlands; his sister-in law, Jean A. Cioffi of Long Branch; his nieces, Gina Cioffi-Loud and her husband, Ted Loud, of  Atlantic Highlands; Danielle Cioffi Storz and her husband, John Storz, of Eatontown; his nephews, Henry “Skip” Cioffi and his wife, Valeria; and their children, Henry Vincent and Marina Cioffi of Oceanport; and the children of his recently deceased nephew Michael Cioffi: Luciano, Sofia and Mariella of West Long Branch; as well as many loving cousins; and closest friends, Fr. Tony Carotenuto, Richard Dina and Fr. Cyril Johnson.

      Visitation will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 16^, at Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell St., Long Branch, followed by a Votive Mass of Jesus Christ the High Priest at 6 p.m. in St. Rose of Lima Chapel, Freehold.

       A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 17 at St. Rose of Lima Chapel. Burial will be in Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution in his memory to The Catholic Worker, Covenant House NYC, Catholic Relief or Doctors Without Borders, and encourages those who are able to donate blood.