James Matthew Orsini

James Matthew Orsini, better known as "Jimmy," 91, of Nutley, N.J., passed away peacefully, Sunday, April 22, 2012, at his home in East Hanover, N.J. The funeral is 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Megaro Memorial Home, 503 Union Ave., Belleville , N.J. (megaromemorialhome.com). Mass is 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 28 Brookline Ave., Nutley, N.J. Interment will follow in Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, N.J. Visitation is Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. James Orsini graduated from Nutley High School with the class of 1940. He was a member of the undefeated 1939 Nutley High School football team which won the New Jersey State Championship and was widely recognized as one of the greatest high school teams in the nation. In 2000, James was inducted to the Nutley Football Hall of Fame. After graduation, he served honorably and proudly during the second World War with the 21st Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division. James served in all three of the division's campaigns which included the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the Bronze Star for his heroic actions in the Battle of the Bulge along with five other medals. Upon return from the war, James worked at Hoffmann- La Roche, Nutley, N.J., for more than 45 years. James was very active in veterans' affairs at the local level. He was a member of the AMVETS Post 30, where he served as house chairman. He also was a member of Italian Fiorente Club of Belleville, N.J. After the war, James and his beautiful wife, Jeanette, lived in Belleville, N.J., for more than seven decades where they proudly raised their five children. James' love for his five children and 16 grandchildren was profound. He reveled in the accomplishments of his children, Jim, Ronnie, Patty, Janis and Denise. James was the beloved husband of Jeanette Orsini (nee DelTufo). He was the loving father of Dr. James Orsini and wife, Marie, of Montclair, N.J., Ronald Orsini and wife, Dona, of Forked River, N.J., Patricia Farina and husband, John, of Belleville, N.J., Janis LaValle and husband, Joseph, of East Hanover, N.J., and Denise Johnstone and husband, Glen, of Florham Park, N.J. He is also survived by his 16 cherished grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and his loving sisters, Connie DeFeo, of Nutley, N.J., and Adeline DiBella of Belleville, N.J. He was predeceased by his siblings, Albert Orsini, Theresa Stanisci, and Mary Battista. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Clara Maass Foundation - funds earmarked to Cancer Center, 1 Clara Maass Dr., Belleville, N.J. 07109 . Published in Star-Ledger on Apr. 24, 2012 - See more at: http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=1572060...