Obituary of Gary Priccaciante

Retired Howell Township Police Chief Gary Priccaciante, 64, of Womelsdorf, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2009 succumbing to a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Priccaciante was born in Newark, NJ to the late Peter and Evelyn Priccaciante, and had lived in Matawan NJ, Howell Township NJ, and Hardy, VA before moving to Pennsylvania in 2004. He began his law enforcement career in 1968 with the Matawan Borough Police Department. In 1971, Mr. Priccaciante transferred to the newly formed Howell Township Police Department where he was sworn in as a patrol officer. He ascended through the ranks ultimately achieving the rank of Police Chief in 1989. During his career, Mr. Priccaciante was assigned to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force, working undercover to prosecute and convict drug offenders throughout Monmouth County. After becoming Chief of Police, he went on to head up the Narcotics Strike Force for the Momouth County Chiefs of Police Association. Most notable of his achievements while at the Howell Township Police Department was forming their Detective Division and organizing the relocation of the Police Headquarters to its current location on Old Tavern Road. Mr. Priccaciante's work is recognized on National, State and Local levels of Law Enforcement. He retired in 1993. Gary was an avid body builder who competed locally, state-wide and nationally. He held many titles including Mr. New Jersey, 1979. Gary was a life-long Corvette enthusiast. He is survived by his beloved wife of 22 years, Carole (nee Winant) Priccaciante of Womelsdorf, PA; three loving daughters Lisa and Tina Priccaciante of Old Bridge, NJ and Lynn Priccaicante of Matawan, NJ; two step daughters Sharon (nee Hall) Carroll and her husband Jim of Jersey City, NJ and Gail Hall of Howell Township, NJ; five grandchildren and one great grandson; three brothers Peter Priccaciante of Daytona, Fl Louis Priccaciante of Jackson Township, NJ and Robert Priccaciante of South Amboy, NJ and two sisters Mary Smith of Middletown, NJ and Jenny Herrmann of Monroe Twp., NJ. Visiting at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524) Freehold Township, NJ on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8:15 AM for his rite of committal followed by his 9:30 AM funeral mass at St. Veronica's Catholic Church, 4215 Route 9 North, Howell NJ. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in memory of Gary be made to the Howell Township P.B.A Local 228, P.O. Box 580, Howell, NJ 07731 Attn: Guy Arancio and would be appreciated. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.