Obituary of Gary Potenzone Jr.

Potenzone, Gary, Jr., age 41 of Totowa passed away suddenly on April 1, 2021. Born in Belleville he lived in Totowa his entire life. He was a Passaic Valley High School graduate class of 1998. Gary worked for the family business Apollo Cards and Flags in Totowa. He did flagpole installations, worked in the retail store, and was an essential employee at the business during the 9/11 tragedy. He worked around the clock to help his dad and uncle/godfather. He even delivered United States Flags on his quad to people's front doors who couldn't get to the store, but wanted to show patriotism. Gary was very caring and loved helping others, so he followed his dream of being in law-enforcement and started his career with the Passaic County Sheriff's Department as a sheriff's officer. He joined the Totowa Borough Police Department and was sworn in June of 2008. He went on to receive multiple awards including "Cop of the Year " through the Elks Lodge, and was inducted as a member of the New Jersey Police Honor Legion. Gary saved multiple lives on the job. He loved being a police officer. Gary was known to always be the life of the party. He was insanely funny, had a huge heart, and was a great dancer! He loved music, driving around, tattoos, cooking, playing cards, eating at his favorite restaurant Izumi, vacationing in Aruba, animals, and coaching sports for his sons and the kids in his community. Gary loved to decorate his home for the holidays. He always went overboard and always did a great job. He was a very strong supporter of President Donald J. Trump and wore it proudly. He was so proud to be a Republican and proud to be an American.  What he loved the most was his family, especially his three beautiful children, more than life itself. Gary will be missed by so many. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, who he missed terribly, Gary Potenzone Sr (2014) and his uncle Carlo Potenzone (2007). He is survived by his loving mother, Deborah (O'Connor) Potenzone, the love of his life and the mother of his kids, Jillian Rubestello, his three heartbroken children - Shawn, Dante and Gianna Potenzone, his three devoted sisters - Dina Vigorito & her husband Sam, Kimberly Aliano & her husband Giovanni, Dr. Kristin Potenzone Tomasello and her husband (and Gary's brother in blue) Lieutenant Joseph Tomasello. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews - Alex " Choopy" Vigorito, Enza "Shuggy" Aliano, Milania " Baby Shugg" Aliano, Jade "Jadie" Tomasello, and Colton "Colt" Tomasello along with his nephew and godson, Nino "Neeners" Aliano. In addition, he is survived by his uncle and godfather Albert Potenzone and his wife Jo-Anne, his aunt and godmother Qurita Potenzone, his aunt & uncle - Jean & Anthony Stella, and many loving cousins and countless friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Tuesday at 11:00 AM. Interment is private. Friends may visit Monday 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to http://gofund.me/8293bd7e, would be appreciated. At the request of the family please bring your favorite photo of Gary to place on a board for them to keep as a memory.