Born in Jersey City to the late Philip and Blanche (Conversano) Alfano and grew up in North Newark. Proudly, he served our country in the United States Navy Armed Guard during World War II on merchant ships, and luckily was stationed in the South Pacific. After marrying the love of his life, Beryl, he resided in Vailsburg, Livingston and lastly East Hanover with his family. He became a Newark Police Officer and was on duty during the '67 riots, retiring in 1983 after 25 years of service. He also worked at the Newark Evening News at night, later becoming a school bus driver where the children just adored him. Time spent with family, Philip cherished most of all. In 1961 he purchased a summer home at Culver’s Lake which was the heartbeat and gathering place for extended family and friends and where he spent his retirement years, along with winters in Boynton Beach, FL.
With a love for travel, he went on RV trips to national parks, cruises to the Caribbean and Canada, and vacationed at the Jersey shore. Years later he was off with Beryl to explore Italy where he visited his parents' home towns of Palomonte and Eboli, as Phil always said "We did it all!" Nothing brought him greater joy than sharing meals and a glass of wine with family and friends, especially one of his signature dishes, linguini and clam sauce,"Oh Boy!" He also took pride in his garden of rose bushes, fruit trees, basil plants, grape vines and loved making wine! He had a very full beautiful life with many blessings.
The beloved husband of 74 years to the late Beryl Jeannette Alfano, Philip is survived by his children, Linda Breiner and her husband Ben, Philip Alfano and his wife Rosanna, Jeannette Bodner and her husband Larry, Raymond Alfano and his wife Mabel and Lisa West and her husband Chuck, his daughter-in-law Cathy, 23 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. His son, Robert Alfano, his daughter, Gail Gerard, his son-in-law Bobby Gerard, his sisters Ann Mulcahy, Margarite Picillo and his brother Edward Alfano predeceased Philip.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, NJ 07860. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 209 US-206, Branchville, NJ. Interment will take place privately at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ
Donations in memory of Philip Alfano may be made to the charity of your choice.
