Obituary of Edward D. Percoco

Edward D. Percoco, 88, of Howell Township, NJ, formerly of the South Beach section of Staten Island, NY and Largo, FL, passed away on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.  He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  Eddie was born in New York City on the lower east side.  He moved to Staten Island at six months old with his nine brothers and sisters.  After graduating from McKee High School, Eddie served in the United States Army at the close of the Korean War.  He served as a general's driver and aide. 

After the military, he worked for the U.S. Post Office and Russell's Barber & Beauty Shop until he married and moved to Howell in 1966 where he raised his family.  Eddie worked for Paul Sayers Company Food Brokers as a sales supervisor and for M & H Food Brokers as a District manager.  He attended Brookdale Community College studying criminal justice courses.  Eddie graduated from the Corrections Officers Training Academy.  He then started his law enforcement career with the State of New Jersey Department of Corrections.  During his career as a Sergeant with the N.J. Department of Corrections, Eddie served in many positions of responsibility.  His assignments were: State of NJ Certified Police Training Commission Firearms Instructor Special Operations Group Firearms Unit DOC; Use of Force Instructor Special Operations Group Police Training Commission; Methods of Instruction Trainer for Police Training Commission; Radio Communications Instructor for Special Operations Group; and an Aids Facilitator for adults and children at the Adult Diagnostic Treatment Center, Avenel.

He was a Silver life member of the NJ State Policemen's Benevolent Association and a life member of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Supervisors Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #169.  Eddie served as Chaplain for the N.J.L.E.S.A. and the F.O.P.  He was also a member of the Italian American Police Society and the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers.  Throughout the years and with many of his fellow officers, Eddie collected serviceable winter coats and jackets to bring to work to be distributed to those in need.  He received two awards from the New Jersey State Policeman's Benevolent Association for exceptional police service as well as two lifesaving awards from Governor Florio.  After a lengthy illness, Eddie was forced to retire in1997. 

He was also a member of Donald Peacock Memorial American Legion Post #178, Farmingdale, NJ.  Eddie was a life member of the Howell First Aid, Squad#1 and served as President for two years and Road Sergeant for three years.  He was Co-Chairman of Operation Deborah, a fund-raising program for children from all over the world who remained in the hospital during Christmas and Easter.

A man of faith, Eddie was a communicant of the Church of St. Veronica, Howell and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Largo and was a Eucharistic Minister at both churches.  He was a former parishioner, member of the Holy Name Society and served as an altar boy at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Staten Island.

Eddie had a gregarious personality, loved a good joke, and telling stories to his grandchildren.  His grandchildren would often sit on his lap and ask him to tell them stories about when they were little.  He loved the shore area, especially teaching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to body surf and fish off the jetties.  Yet crabbing was his favorite thing to do, and he could always find the best spots and come home with a bushel.   

Eddie was a kind and generous man who always gave to those less fortunate than himself.  Like his mother, he never passed a needy person on the street without giving something.  In fact, on vacation with his grandchildren, he stopped his car and gave his entire lunch to a man on the side of the road who was on crutches.

He was predeceased by his parents, Felix Frank and Josephine Rose Percoco; six brothers, Augie Percoco and his wife Rose, Vincent Percoco and his wife, Minie, Leo Percoco and his wife, Margie, Eugene Percoco, Joseph Percoco and his wife, Gloria and Count Rudolph Almeida (Rudy Percoco) and Countess Micheline Almeida; two sisters, Gloria Russo and her husband, Frank and Florence LoCasio; and a sister-in-law, Gloria Palmeri

Eddie is survived by his loving and faithful wife of over sixty-five years, Josie, who he loved to take out to breakfast as often as he could.  She was a mother first, and always a friend.  She never had no in her vocabulary and was never too busy to take her mother shopping or to the bank.  She was the most unselfish women he knew.

He is also survived by two sons, Mark E. Percoco and Jeanne and Frank M Percoco and Renee DePhillips; the apple of his eye, his daughter, Julie Antonides; seven grandchildren, Jessica Percoco-Winn and Christopher, Jason Percoco and his wife, Dr. Natasha Allgood-Percoco, Joseph Percoco and his wife, Rachel, Kimberly Russo and her husband, Michael, Joseph Coulter and his wife, Jade, Kara Antonides and Matthew Fronk and William Antonides III and his fiancée, Gabriella Russo; twelve great-grandchildren, Junior, Lily, Roman, Lulu, Cece, Lorelei, Otis, Coulter, Caleb, Lindy, Rylah and Carmella; his sister, Lillian Carlo; sister-in-law, Miriam Percoco and the sister-in-law whose diaper he used to change, LuAnn Siciliano and her husband, Louie; his brother-in-law, Angelo Palmeri; numerous nieces, nephews, and their families; and his faithful canine companions, Yankee 2, Max, Neptune, Stella, Rosie, Beau, and Tucker.

He leaves this earth with what no money can buy, and no medicine can cure: the joy of his wife's love for over sixty-five years, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, seen and unseen. 

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 9:00 AM for the procession to his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at the Church of St. Veronica, 4201 Route 9 North, Howell Township.  Inurnment will be in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle NJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown, NJ at the convenience of the family.  For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

In memory of Eddie, some sayings to live by:

“Have you seen my wife?”

“Spank you”

“Thanks for coming in today.”

“Shanks a lot.”

“Chicken one day and feathers the next.”

“Can I get you a couple of scrambled eggs.”

“Un morto, tre feriti e gli altri se la sono fatta addosso”

“Em Beh!”