DePaola, Joseph John (Jay)
Joseph (Jay) John DePaola, 62, of Cedar Grove, N.J., passed away on December 19, 2018 after a six-year battle with ALS. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Englewood, New Jersey on March 27, 1956, Jay earned a degree in Accounting and most recently worked for the CIT Group in Livingston, N.J.
Jay was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to all. He and his wife enjoyed cycling, trips to the beach, camping, and playing with their grandchildren, who always called him Poppy. He will be remembered for his sense of humor; cracking a joke every chance he got and the amazing strength, dignity and kindness he exhibited while battling a devastating and debilitating disease. He often said, "my problems do not diminish the problems of others."
Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Gertrude, and his sister, Valerie Sellen. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lynn, three daughters and their husbands; Allison Herring and her husband Arnie of Oviedo, FL., Angela DiGiovanni and her husband, Joseph of Cedar Grove; Christina Kissler and her husband Joshua of Wayne; four grandchildren, James, Kara, Charles and Emily Herring; his brother, John DePaola and his wife, Grace of Montclair; his sister, Maria Beers and her husband Gary of Winchester, CA, and brother-in-law, Bill Sellen of Glendale, CA.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial Home, 62 Grove St, Montclair.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to MACangels.org. MAC Angels is a non-profit organization that provides services and programs to enhance the quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers who are impacted by ALS. They were instrumental in providing comfort and support during his illness.