Obituary of JOSEPH R. DETARANTO

Joseph R. Detaranto died Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Franciscan Oaks Health Care Center in Denville from complications following a fall. He was 84. Born and raised in Morristown, he had been a resident of Parsippany for over 55 years, living briefly in Cedar Knolls before recently moving to Denville. Mr. Detaranto had served in the United States Navy during World War II. He earned his BS in engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1946. Mr. Detaranto had worked as a mechanical engineer with Marotta Scientific in Boonton for 39 years, retiring in 1987. During his tenure, he worked on NASA space programs and was named a NASA Man of the Year. He held many patents, and some of his designs are featured in space crafts in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Additionally, many of his safety device designs are still used today in comercial airlines. Following his retirement, Mr. Detaranto volunteered as a math tutor for special needs students at Morristown High School and was an active volunteer at Cheshire Home in Florham Park for many years. He was a longtime member of St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church in Parsippany where he sang in the adult choir, and was a member of the Golden Age Seniors and the Visitation Ministry. He was also a member of several other area choirs, the Hanover Township Seniors and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Anna R. (nee Cerbo); his children, Mary Rose Younghouse (Larry) of Boonton, Joe Detaranto (Susan Buteau) of Parsippany, Stephanie Eckert (Tom) of Parsippany, Nina Martinelli (Bob Needham) of Beach Haven, and Frank Detaranto (Peggy) of Sterling, VA.; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and Frank Martinelli and Maureen Detaranto.