Obituary of Carmen J. Tarantino

Carmen J. Tarantino passed away peacefully Sunday evening, January 7, 2024 at home. He was 97.

Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, he had lived in Totowa, NJ for nearly 60 years before moving to Randolph Township, NJ 3 years ago.

Mr. Tarantino served in the United States Navy during World War II. He saw action while serving on the NTS Sampson, USS Bon Homme Richard and the USNB Bremerton in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre before his honorable discharge in 1946.

He had worked as the office manager with Passaic County Steel of Paterson. Subsequently, he worked with his dear friend, Joe D'Amore, at J & J Industrial Supply. During his retirement years and into his late 80's Carmen worked as an "on the road" property photographer with the Nutley office of State Farm Insurance Co.

A devout Roman Catholic, Mr. Tarantino had been a member of St. George Parish, Paterson, St. James Parish, Totowa, and a longtime member of St. Paul's Parish in Clifton where he served as an usher, greeter, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Parish Council. He subsequently attended St. Pius X Parish, Montville, Holy Spirit Parish, Pequannock, and Resurrection Parish, Randolph.

He was a former member of the Senior Citizens of Totowa and the Paterson Chamber of Commerce.

Carmen played the trumpet since his Eastside High School years. He was a part of the "Jersey Jivers." The Band made two records, "I've Heard that Song Before" (08/13/43) and "My Blue Heaven" (09/18/43).

Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 72 years, Agnes Marie (nee Kieran) Tarantino; his dear daughter, Judy McBride; and a sister, Rose Underwood; Carmen is survived by three children, Rev. John F. Tarantino, Pastor of Resurrection Parish, Randolph, NJ; Gale Van Hefter and her partner, Paul DeLeo of Totowa, NJ, and Frank B. Tarantino of Point Pleasant, NJ; two grandchildren, Patrick McBride (Jennifer), and Karen Shields (EJ); and eight great-grandchildren, Brendan, Kailey, Chase, Jack, Bryce, Reese, Cora, and Ellie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitations on Thursday, Jan. 11, 3:00 to 7:00pm and Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, 11:00am to 12:30pm at Resurrection R.C. Church, 651 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph. U.S. Navy Military Honors will be rendered at 3:00pm Thursday at the start of visitation. A Prayer Service will be offered at 7:00pm Thursday to conclude the visitation. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 12, 12:30pm at Resurrection R.C. Church. Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for gifts to the Memorial Fund of Resurrection Parish.