Obituary of Ralph J Andreano

Andreano, Ralph Joseph (RJ) "Bobby" passed away peacefully on February 17, 2019 in Boynton Beach, Florida. RJ was the husband of Ann (Manfredi) for almost 70 years until her death in 2017. He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Surviving are his son, Ralph, his companion, Cheryl Sultan, "Little Izzy" who loved her Pop Pop almost as much as he loved her and many nieces, nephews, and cousin and friends. He was predeceased by his grandson, Jared, and by brothers Frank, Tony, Peter, Vincent, and by sisters Angie, Angelina, Josie Lombardi and Jennie Tirinato. Born in Paterson, NJ, RJ graduated from St. Michael's Elementary School, attended St. John's High School and later earned his GED. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the USNR where he was a Fireman 1st Class from 1944-1946. He served in combat missions in the invasions of southern France and in submarine warfare. He was a sailor on the destroyer USS Niblack and was proud to be a Tin Can Sailor. During that time, he was awarded the American Theater Medal, the European Middle Eastern Theater Medal - 2 Stars and the WW II Victory Medal. In his honor, a memorial brick has been placed on the grounds of the National Navy UDT Seal Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida. After the war, he married the love of his life, Annie. They settled in Paterson, NJ, later in Lakewood, NJ and then in Boyton Beach, Florida. A very special time in his life that he cherished was the 32 years of faithful service with the Passaic County Sheriff's Dept. and to the people of Passaic County. His service included: Sheriff's Officer in the Juvenile Domestic Court (Family Court), President of PBA Local 197 for 10 consecutive years and a member of the State Missing Persons Bureau. Also, he established a Model Missing Person's Unit in the Passaic County Sheriff's Dept. He wore the badge with pride and retired as Undersheriff 1. RJ was totally committed to his family and to helping others. He coached the American Legion Baseball League for over 20 years and served as Commander of the Legion's Post 360. RJ was also a member of the Franklin Club of Paterson and the Italian American Police Society of NJ. In addition, RJ was Commander of Camp Hope in West Milford NJ for 14 years and he was the Commissioner of Friends of Hope, an outreach organization for underprivileged children. RJ and Ann will be remembered by all whose lives they touched along the way. They will be remembered especially by those lucky people who knew them from Netzer's Sweet Shop in Paterson which they owned and operated for 30 years. RJ always had room in his heart to help others...and he did so with love. He will be missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Saturday at 8:45 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Gerard RC Church, Paterson at 9:30 AM. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, Paterson. Friends may visit Friday 4:00 - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of RJ Andreano may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.