Daniel A. Maresca

Daniel A. Maresca, 98, of Toms River, NJ passed peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at his home. He was born May 10, 1927 in North Bergen and lived there for many years before moving to Toms River in 1997. Dan met his future wife Ann while working at Western Electric. They married on February 1, 1948, celebrating 72 wonderful years together before her passing in 2020.

Dan is survived by his two devoted sons Daniel and wife Pam of Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Thomas and wife Gail of Branchburg, NJ; his four loving grandchildren David Maresca, Steven Maresca and wife Courtney, Brian Maresca, and Kelly Guglielmino and husband Christopher; and two great granddaughters; Madison and Charlotte. Dan is predeceased by his wife and soulmate, Ann; his parents, Angelo and Mabel Maresca; and his brother Charles Maresca, and stepbrothers Edgar, Walter, Harold, and Raymond Lear, and stepsister Gloria Monchino.

Dan was a proud member of the Greatest Generation. He was honored to have served his country in WWII, enlisting in the United States Navy as a 17 year old in 1945. Following basic training he became a “Plank” owner on the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41). As one of the first crew members, he performed the services of a pointer before receiving an honorable discharge in 1946.

Following careers as a master embroiderer and a general manager for an electrical engineering company, Dan lived the American Dream as a self-made and successful entrepreneur. He co-owned a general store in Edgewater, NJ during the 70’s, opened liquor stores in the 80’s and ran a food provisioning business into the 90’s. His professional legacy is characterized by courage, vision, and hard work.

Daniel was thoroughly devoted to his family. Ann was the love of his life and he openly expressed that emotion every day. Their first date was to the Paramount Theater where they experienced the tender tones of Frank Sinatra. Music was always a large part of their lives, whether singing Summer Wind, or ballroom dancing at home, family events, or the Holiday City South clubhouse. The family always described them as having lived a “love story”; eternally holding hands. Her passing in 2020 proved very difficult for him.

Dan defined and embraced the term patriarch. He brought strength, integrity, common sense, and love to all family members. He was fair, compassionate, and caring. Most importantly, he inspired his family to impart these same character traits in their own daily lives – a legacy we all admire, gratefully accept, and pay forward to our families.

We will greatly miss our family gatherings at the Jersey shore where Dad held court and regaled us with stories from his past that had us laughing and amazed. The loss of his presence in our lives will leave a void but his spirit will remain forever in our hearts.

Services and interment of ashes will be scheduled at a later date.