Anthony A. Vertelis

Tony was born in Bayonne, NJ on July 22, 1915 and was approaching his 95th birthday when he passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2010. Although he was born in NJ, he visited his parents’ birthplace, Lithuania, when he was 5 years old. He traveled with his mother Anna and sister, Angie who was 2 years old. If they liked it, his father, Joseph, would join them. Although he recalled many enjoyable experiences in the memoirs he recorded some time ago, the family returned to NJ after two years abroad.

The boat trip was a terrifying experience that he said he would probably never forget. They stopped in Holland where they disembarked to a tender bouncing up and down on the Zuider Zee. There was a gangplank with a rope on one side and the ship on the other. A sailor assisted his Mom with Angie in her arms and he was told to hang on to the rope and follow them. He could barely reach the rope and said that he was bouncing like a yo-yo as the boat rocked about. They walked across the plank and had to jump on to the tender. He recalled this was the scariest thing in his life.

Tony was always a hard worker. He helped deliver groceries on week-ends when he was in 3rd grade and continued working until graduating from high school. He worked for 14 hours on Saturdays at the grocery store, earning $2 a week. He sometimes caddied on Sundays starting at 6 AM and carried clubs for 3 rounds (54 holes). At $1.25 a round, he felt like a king with the $3.75 he earned at the end of the day.

He attended schools in Linden, NJ and then went on to graduate from Union County College and Newark College of Arts and Sciences of Rutgers University. These were tough years. He was working as a letter carrier in the Post Office, starting at 4AM, finishing at 3PM, then went home to shower, change and off to college for 3 hours of classes in the evening and homework. He was back to work at 4AM the next day.

He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service--first as a letter carrier, then as a Postal Inspector, then as a U.S. Postal Regional Real Estate Agent until his retirement almost 40 years ago. He spent more years in retirement than in his working years. .

Tony met his wife-to-be, Marie, at a roller skating rink in Elizabeth. On that particular day, the heating plant at Newark College exploded and all classes were cancelled. Tony was driving home with a college friend when one of them suggested they go skating. The only problem was that Tony didn’t know how to skate. But that didn’t keep them from asking two young ladies to dance. That’s when he met Marie and her friend Edna. Well, Tony didn’t know how to turn at the corner and dragged down his skating partner, Marie, once, twice …actually four times. As Marie told the story, she said to Tony “That’s enough for you, Buster”. They ended up trying a few more times and the ‘guys’ even took the ‘girls’ home to Kearny that evening.

After dating for 3 years, Tony and Marie married. Joanne was born 3 years later and 3 years after that, Beverly was born.

Marie and Tony were both very creative and do-it-yourselfers. Their first big venture was building a bungalow at Ocean Beach. The standard beach house was being offered by the builders for $2095. As a couple who always ‘did-it-themselves’, Tony and Marie bought a lot and began building their first seashore home. This was the 6th house built in the beach that now has over 400 homes. Tony was working in Washington, D.C. as a Postal Inspector during the week and spent week-ends prefabricating sections of the new home. With the help of family members, they built not only one, but 3 shore cottages over the years.

Marie participated by nailing shingles onto the roof of the first cottage and made the draperies, re-upholstered and refinished furniture for the 4 cottages they eventually owned.

The family lived in Union for nearly 50 years. Tony and Marie moved to Seabrook in Tinton Falls in 2002.

Marie and Tony were members of Christ Lutheran Church for many years. Marie played a large role in running the semi-annual Rummage Sales and Tony was the ‘fix-it’ man who did minor repairs on the electrical equipment that was to be for sale. They were both active in various men’s and women’s organizations.

Tony will always be remembered for the beautiful evergreen trees he grew in his own yard and donated to the church for many Christmases.

Tony found great satisfaction from gardening and grew most of the family’s fruits and vegetables. He became the official family cook in later years so he could ensure that his produce was incorporated into every meal. He was well-known for the veggies and fruits he shared with others. It was always a challenge to have the earliest and biggest tomatoes in the neighborhood.

Always very frugal, Tony would not let anything go to waste. A nephew recalled how he tried to convince everyone that quinine water (left in the bungalow by a renter) was the same as Coke and one just had to acquire a taste for it. It didn’t work and the family still laughs about it.

Tony loved to tell jokes but he was not very good at remembering the punch lines. He collected them from friends and relatives and saved them for future use. His wallet has a special section for ‘crib notes’ for jokes he wanted to tell.

With Tony’s interest in learning, he attended dance classes with Marie as well as classes in bridge playing and computer use. He was in his mid-80s when he learned to use the computer and would call Bev late at night when he hit a snag with the computer.

In recent years, Tony ‘discovered’ a cousin living in Lithuania with his family. He really enjoyed his email correspondence with them. This encouraged him to pursue learning more about his family tree.

In addition to two daughters, Marie and Tony had 2 loving grandchildren. Jackie and Chris are the children of Joanne and her husband, Dick.

Chris is following in his grandfather’s footsteps by remodeling an older home. He also enjoys working in the yard.

Jackie enjoys cooking and is looking forward to growing her own vegetables in the home she is moving into next month. Great grandson, John Anthony, was adopted by Jackie last year and has been a delightful addition to the family. We’re all so glad that Pop-Pop was able to enjoy almost 15 months with John. John was equally excited to spend time with him and would smother him with hugs and kisses.

Tony was always known for his fondness for food. It has been said that some people eat to live but he lived to eat. After a recent health setback and not eating for several days, he suddenly popped up and asked his aide Coleen “What do we have to eat”? We are sure his good appetite helped to keep him going all these years.

Tony and Marie were married for 65 years when she passed away in 2006.

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Anthony A. Vertelis' obituary published in the Star Ledger and the Asbury Park Press on Monday June 21, 2010 and Tuesday June 22, 2010.

Anthony A. Vertelis, 94, passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2010, at his home in Tinton Falls.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at McCracken Funeral Home,1500 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ on Wednesday, June 23rd from 10AM to 11AM with a Service to be held at the funeral home at 11AM. An entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union, NJ.

Born in Bayonne, Tony lives in Union for nearly 50 years before moving to Seabrook Village in Tinton Falls in 2002. He previously lived in Linden. He also maintained a home in Ocean Beach for nearly 60 years.

He was a graduate of Linden High School, Union County College and Newark College of Arts and Sciences of Rutgers University. He was employed as a U.S. Postal Inspector and U.S. Postal Real Estate agent before his retirement in 1971.

He and his late wife, Marie, were members of Christ Lutheran Church in Union where they organized many successful rummage sales and senior trips while living in Union.Tony was also active in several social organizations.

Tony was a man who was loved by all who knew him. He was a gentle, kindhearted person known for his friendly smile. He was always willing to offer assistance. He was especially loved by his family.

Tony loved to do gardening and was well known for the many fruits and vegetables he grew and shared with friends. It was always a challenge with his neighbors to have the earliest and biggest tomatoes each year.

Tony was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Marie, in 2006.Surviving are his loving daughters, Beverly of Woodbridge and Joanne and her husband Richard, of Westfield; 2 grandchildren, Jacqueline and Christopher and great grandson, John. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Anna and sister, Angelina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or organization of your choice.