Obituary of William J. DeAngelis

William J. "BIll" DeAngelis AGE: 94 • Madison and Florham Park William J. ("Bill") DeAngelis, a lifelong resident and businessman of Madison and Florham Park, died on January 8, 2017 after a long struggle with dementia. He was 94. Mr. DeAngelis was the third of six children born to Sam and Susan DeAngelis of South Street in Madison. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained with the Sixth Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge in WW II, and participated in army reunions around the country throughout his life. After the war, he and his wife Ada (née Materazzi) opened the "Rose Bowl" luncheonette on Main Street in Madison, across from what is now the Junior School, formerly Madison High School. Mr. DeAngelis later moved to Florham Park where he and his partner Jim Dante launched the Florham Park Hardware, which they operated together for 17 years. Afterward, he founded a real estate venture where he worked until retirement. Mr. DeAngelis was one of Florham Park's volunteer firemen who established the borough's Fourth of July parade. He was a past president of the Lions Club and a longstanding member of the Elks and Knights of Columbus. A golf enthusiast, he shot two holes-in-one, prompting membership in the PGA Hole in One club. Mr. DeAngelis is predeceased by his wife Ada; sons Rodney L. Stellate, William J. DeAngelis, Jr., and Lawrence T. DeAngelis; daughter Doretta Walker; sister Sadie and husband Ray Barretti; and brothers Mike DeAngelis and Tony and wife Helen DeAngelis. He is survived by daughters Lenore D.C. and husband Don Murphy, Clare and husband Paul Nicosia, and Francine DeAngelis; son-in-law Greg Walker; grandchildren Christopher Castillo, Daniele and wife Chelsea Hunter, Alison DeAngelis, and Gregory Walker; sister Rose and husband Tony Lombardi; brother Henry and wife Judy DeAngelis; and sister-in-law Marge DeAngelis, wife of brother Mike. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, at Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main St., Madison, with a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church in Florham Park. Interment will be at St. Vincent's Cemetery in Madison. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 13. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Purple Heart Foundation or to the Alzheimer's Foundation.