Salvatore Joseph Graziano

Salvatore Joseph Graziano, age 84, of Toms River, New Jersey passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to the late Joseph and Bridget Graziano. He resided in Winfield Park, NJ before settling in Toms River in 1971 with his wife, Dee. Prior to retiring, Sal was a Dental Technician and owner of Renaissance Dental Lab in Toms River for 18 years. He was a United States Air Force Veteran who proudly served his Country as a medic in Japan. For the last 10 years Sal has been a Crossing Guard in the community, with his most recent and favorite post at West Dover Elementary, where his children once attended.

Sal’s love for the outdoors began as a Boy Scout. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting. He was a long-time member of the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club, and also belonged to Trout Unlimited.

Sal was an active member of The Church of Grace and Peace for 39 years and an ordained minister. He held many roles in the church over the years, including Music Minister, Sunday School Teacher, Marriage Mentor and Home Group Leader. Sal received his Masters Degree in Ministry and served as the Pastoral Care Minister. He enjoyed his time visiting people in the hospital and holding church services in nursing homes.

He was predeceased by his parents; his beloved sister, Catherine; and his grandson, Jeremy.

He is survived by his wife and love of his life, Dee of 57 years; his children Joseph (wife, Irina) and Diana (husband, Bob); his grandchildren Joseph (wife, Brinkley), Caroline (fiancé, Rene’), Evan, Luke, Mia, and Alexander; his great-grandchildren Salvatore and Ella June; his sister Jeanne (husband, Dino); sister-in-law Linda; nephews Paul and Drew; and nieces Shanna (husband, Frank) and Kristen (husband, Brian). Sal was also a surrogate father to Melissa and grandpa to Amy (husband, Mike), Joshua (wife, Liz), and Khiyah.

A Celebration of Sal’s Life will be held on Saturday, September 14th at The Church of Grace and Peace, 1563 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ, 08753, where relatives and friends will be received from 3 p.m. to 4p.m.; the celebration will be offered at 4:00 p.m. Flowers can be received at the Church of Grace and Peace the day of Celebration.

Charitable Donations can be made in Sal’s honor to the Palliative Care Program at Nemours Hospital for Children in Delaware, as part of his grandson, Jeremy’s legacy by visiting https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fcpce/ and donations can also be made to the Palliative Care Program by mail to: Nemours Children’s Health, Shands House, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE. 19803.