Obituary of Joseph Cerillo

Joseph F. Cerillo, 58, of Jackson passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway. Joe was born in Plainfield, was raised New Hope, PA and had lived in North Plainfield, Westfield, Farmingdale and Howell before settling to Jackson in 2008. He was a 1975 graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. Joe was the used car manager for Manhattan Honda, NYC and had a lifelong career in the automotive industry. Prior to that, he was the general manager for Bell Ford in Colonia and had begun his career at Autoland in Springfield. Joe was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 2613, Millstone. He was a NY Giants Fan and loved to make a big pot of sauce on football Sundays. Joe was a true outdoorsman, who had a passion for hunting and fishing and his time at the shooting range but he really loved riding his motorcycle. Joe enjoyed sitting on his deck feeding the birds and squirrels, smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of wine. He relished his days on the beach, skiing on the mountains and playing his guitar and drums. In high school, Joe played drums with Pat DiNizio who would later become the lead singer of the Smithereens. He was a giver, if it was not the shirt off his back, it was the last dollar in his wallet but most of all, Joe loved being with his family. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Marco Cerillo in 2013 and his mother, Joan Burns in August. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Cerillo; two sons, Joseph V. Cerillo and Matthew J. Cerillo, both of Freehold Township; two stepsons, Justin Rhoades and Sean Rhoades, both of Jackson; a sister, Deborah Walck and her husband, Craig of Dinghmans Ferry, PA; a brother, Patrick J. Cerillo and his wife, Traci of Whitehouse Station; two half sisters, Gia and Dina; two step sisters, Kelly and Jill; and numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 and Thursday, December 4, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 9:00 AM for the procession to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township for his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass. Cremation will be private. For those who desire memorial contributions in Joe's memory may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.