Richard Renzella, Lifetime Long Branch Resident, Dies

Richard J. Renzella, 76, of Long Branch, died Saturday at home surrounded by his loving family.

Renzella was a lifetime resident of Long Branch. He was an employee for 25 years at Baldanza Bakery in Long Branch and then he worked for 15 years with the Painters’ Union before retiring. He also founded Tastee Subs in Edison at 1963.

He was the Varsity Captain of the Long Branch High School Football Team, a member and Past President of the Green and White Association, a member of the Long Branch Old Guard, a parishioner of Holy Trinity Church of Christ the King Parish in Long Branch and served in the National Guard. 

Renzella was predeceased by his son, Michael Garifine in 2011, his brother, Cosmo Renzella and 3 sisters, Louise Talerico, Josephine O’Brien and Grace Renzella. Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Joan Condone Renzella; his children and their spouses, Gerard III and Nichole Garifine; Joanne and Tim Welsh; Debbie and Matt Welsh all of West Long Branch; Susan Renzella of Long Branch and Jennifer Moore of Budd Lake; his sister, Angie Guarino of Toms River and 6 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katie Rose, Kelly, Tara, Michael and Christopher. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave., (corner of Third Ave.), Long Branch. The funeral is Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Trinity Church. Interment will be at Woodbine Mausoleum, Oceanport.

Memorial donations are requested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (www.pancan.org).