Philip J. Papalia

Philip John Papalia, 71, passed away suddenly on November 14, 2025. Raised in Toms River, NJ, Philip remained deeply connected to his hometown throughout his life. Though he traveled extensively, he spent the majority of his adult years living and working in Toms River, where he built lifelong relationships and created a legacy of hard work, ingenuity, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends.

He is survived by the love of his life, Karen Reynolds and his four siblings: Andy Papalia (Vicki), Fern Papalia (Dr. Joe Birnbaum), Roseanna Johansen , and Constance Hinkle. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews—Renee Gonella, Jessica Sylvester, Lorin Falana, Devyn Schulwitz, David Hinkle, Andrew Papalia, Christer Johansen, Alex Hinkle, and Daniel Johansen—and by his great-nieces and great-nephews: Bryanna Dawson, Austin Gonella, Maddison Gonella, Hugo Jacques, Sophie Jacques, John Falana, Ryan Falana, Bayne Schulwitz, Tucker Schulwitz, Giuliana Hinkle, Lucia Hinkle, Theodore Hinkle, Landon Hinkle, Alfred Oynes, Herman Oynes and Cecilia Papalia, and several great-great nieces/nephews. Philip leaves behind Karen’s three sons—Billy, Steven (Danielle), and Patrick (Victoria Branca) and his dearest friend Kristina Schoeneick and his cherished cat, Mocha.

He is predeceased by his beloved “kids”—his Rottweilers Alexa, Auddee, and Apollo, and his cats Cali and Scrappy—as well as by his parents, Andrew and Helen Papalia, his beloved niece Susan Johansen, and his dear brother-in-law Dr. Bradford Hinkle.

Philip was a self-made man who lived life entirely on his own terms. He was fond of saying that he “wore a lot of hats.” In his younger years, he volunteered with the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service. He later founded his own tile business and eventually created CCA/CCAO, a custom apron and bag manufacturing company primarily serving the amusements industry. Known as “The Apronman,” Philip could often be found walking the midway with a baby carriage full of aprons, greeting customers and friends with his trademark charm and humor.

His entrepreneurial spirit motivated him to pair his love of boating and fishing to create his bait business. He became known along the Jersey Shore as “The Bait Guy” a/k/a “The Mullet Man”, netting bunker and mullet and supplying bait to local tackle shops. He was remembered fondly as a “true waterman who worked

the waters day in and day out—in good weather and bad, in the heat and in the windy cold.”

Never one to shy away from reinvention, Philip was embarking on a new chapter still. He was in the process of obtaining a Captain’s license to begin an exciting new business chartering his boat to take guests dip netting for shrimp in Florida.

Courageous, adventurous, and passionate, Philip was a true force of nature. A unique and creative genius with a sharp, sarcastic wit and a wonderful sense of humor, he was intellectually curious and an extraordinarily gifted autodidact. Always astutely observant, with a laser focus on the details, he had a unique view of the world and enjoyed photographing it. He loved building things with his hands, listening to music, and playing pool. Street-smart, resourceful, and endlessly analytical, he researched and explored diverse subjects ranging from music, engineering, and science to religion, philosophy, psychology and technology with a depth that amazed those who knew him. He was fiercely loyal and always supportive—someone his family and friends could depend on without question. He touched so many lives. His presence will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held: November, 23, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm

Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home

703 Main St, Toms River, NJ 08753

Donations may be made to: Coastal Conservation Association

https://www.joincca.org/