Thomas Albert Parlegreco

Thomas Parlegreco of Clark, N.J., formerly of Union, N.J., died at home surrounded by his family on March 2, 2013. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave., Union. Funeral Mass will be offered at Holy Spirit Church, Union, on Friday, March 15, at 9:30 a.m., with entombment to follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, N.J. Thomas was born to Maria and Angelo Parlegreco in Fair Lawn, N.J., and he lived there until he joined the U.S. Army in 1942, during World War II. One of four brothers in combat, Thomas served until 1945 in Algeria, Central Europe, Naples, Rhineland, Rome, Sicily, Southern France, and Tunisia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valorous conduct in action. He married Elizabeth Jane Eilbacher in 1948. They had two daughters, Janice Ann and Marilyn Elizabeth, and one son, Gregg. Thomas and his brother, John, were the proprietors of the Townley Supermarket in Union from 1961 to 1982, a very successful local food market which enjoyed a large following and a splendid reputation. He was a devoted family man, a loving husband, father, and grandfather who above all enjoyed spending time with his family. There could not have been a better husband, father, and grandfather. He was always proud of his children's achievements, and his wife and children were the most important part of his life. Later in life, he was blessed with two grandchildren whom he cherished. He always enjoyed the days that he picked up his grandson at school. To his family and to those who loved him, there has never been a man so fine, so beautiful and so good. His children adored him. His wife loved and respected him and the man he was--the husband, the father, and the grandfather. He cherished his family and his devotion to them was unsurpassed. Thomas was predeceased by his parents, Maria and Angelo, in addition to his brothers, Sam, Peter, James, Paul, and two sisters, Josephine and Ella. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Jerome Grebler. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jane; two daughters, Janice Grebler and Marilyn Elizabeth, both of Oceanport, N.J., and a son, Gregg, and his wife, Tina, of Union. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Jordan and Ava, as well as a brother, John, and his wife, Ann, of Connecticut and several nieces and nephews.