Nicholas D. Stanisci, 87, passed away at home in West Caldwell, NJ, on Saturday, June 18, 2022, after a long illness. Among other things, Nick was known for his quick smile, big hugs, and obsession with baseball, politics, and Broadway musicals. He was devoted to his wife, Susan, and his kids and grandchildren, as well as the steady stream of dogs that populated the Stanisci home in his later years. During summers at the Jersey Shore, he was sometimes difficult to locate because of an affinity for digging deep holes on the beach, which inevitably drew other children to come and meet his own kids. Every time a new kid would arrive nervously, Nick’s head would pop out of the hole and, with a glowing smile, he would say, “Hi!! Want to help us out?” That usually zapped any nerves. Nick was a Garden State lifer, growing up in Montclair before later living in Verona and settling in West Caldwell in 1987. He was something of a gofer in his youth, working as a caddy, a car valet, a part-time mailman, and an ad hoc painter. But in the late 1950s, he settled into the career that would satisfy and sustain him thereafter: education. Nick taught business classes, including accounting and typing, in Newark, Leonia, and then, for nearly three decades, at Passaic Valley Regional High School in Little Falls, NJ. While teaching during the day, Nick continued to deliver mail on the weekends and scratched another itch – his affinity for arguing – by serving as a Uniserv representative for the NJEA. Not only did that place Nick in the middle of tense negotiations between Boards of Education and teachers’ unions, but it led him to his beloved Sue. His wife of 36 years (née Mitzner) survives him. He is also survived by: (i) his children from his first marriage to the late Joan Conley Stanisci of Shavertown, PA: Mary Stanisci of Shavertown, PA; Christopher Stanisci (and wife Dede) of Green Brook, NJ; and Julie Adair of Mt. Lebanon, PA; (ii) his and Sue’s children, Jared Stanisci (and husband Chad Newman) of Maplewood, NJ; and Jeana Stanisci of West Caldwell, NJ; (iii) his seven grandchildren CJ, Jake and Matty Stanisci (and wife Meg); Connor, Kathryn, and Seamus Adair; and Liam Sawyer Newman-Stanisci; (iv) his sister, Maria DiLena of Walnut Creek, CA; and his brother Jules (and wife Patricia) of Mountain Lakes, NJ; (v) Willow (black lab), Brody (ugh), and Austen (golden retriever); and (vi) a coterie of nieces, nephews, and cousins scattered around the country. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Carmela (née DiGeronimo) and John of Montclair, NJ, and his sister, Grace Waldron, of Tucson, AZ. A celebration of Nick’s life will take place Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Caggiano Memorial Home, 62 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ. Visitation begins at 9am, followed by a brief service at 11am, and then a gathering at the home of Jared Stanisci and Chad Newman in Maplewood, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks you to consider donating to The Seeing Eye, Inc. for Nick’s love of dogs, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS for his love of musicals and/or The V Foundation for Cancer Research for his love of sports.



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