Achille Onnembo

Achille Onnembo of Whiting, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2023, at Willow Springs Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Brick, NJ. He had previously been a patient at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. Achille was born in Kearny, NJ. He attended Kearny High School where he was captain of the track team. He earned various medals at the Penn relays for his speed and endurance under Coach Harold Jardine. In his senior year, he was voted “best eyes”, for his baby blues which caught the eye of his wife Edith years later when they met at Paul’s Lounge in Kearny N.J.

At the start of World War II, Achille along with his two brothers, Nick and John, said goodbye to their parents as they entered the theatres of World War II. Achille served in the Coast Guard from 1941-1946. His tour of duty began at West Hampton Beach, followed by tours in Africa, the Philippines, Anzio, Baston, Southern France, Sicily, Salerno, and South Hampton, England. On June 6, 1944, Achille heroically helped to land troops and vehicles assisting on one of the 1,500 Higgins boats to the shores of Normandy. Like many others in the “greatest generations,” he was most proud of the patriotic feeling knowing he was part of the largest seaborne invasion in history.

Following the end of World War II Achille returned home, found a job, and began his college education at Seton Hall University as a business major. He later worked at Retail Credit, Continental Insurance, and Underwriting Adjusters.

He lived in Kearny with his wife Edith Adele Baker then moved to North Arlington. He was one of the first “cliff dwellers” to speak up and fight to have the meadowlands, then known as the “dumps” stop burning trash. His determination and hard work in the community helped to put an end to trash incinerating and toxic pollution in the neighborhoods. Achille later ran for councilman several times before being appointed to the position of Welfare Director in North Arlington for over 15 years. Achille personally delivered food baskets to the needy every holiday. At 101, he loved the fact that he still collected a pension from his part-time job. His humorous personality led him to joke about how much he had earned over the years in his retirement. He would say they must be furious that I’m still here! Achille was an active member of the Italian American Club, Republican Club, and Knights of Columbus in North Arlington. He loved to run dinner dances and also shared in potluck dinners each month with their dinner club at each other's homes. In his later years would tell us,” he missed going to dances on weekends, nobody does that anymore,”.He was an amazing dancer!

Achille raised 5 children with his wife Edith. Every Sunday he celebrated mass with his family at Queen of Peace Church. After mass, he would stop at the bakery for rolls, buns, and the newspaper. Sunday was family day which meant macaroni and meatballs in the afternoon. There was always enough space for another friend or neighbor to join the family. It was a true open-door Italian style of living.

Hard work did not just end at the office. Achille was a handyman, he seldom hired anyone for home repairs including installing aluminum siding on the house, tile work, painting, outside masonry, car repair, and additions to the house. He was a true master of all trades, sometimes calling them “ Acky Jobs”, a joke within the family.

Catholic school was important to him. He worked hard to provide an education at Queen of Peace for his daughters. He was a college graduate and expected his children to do the same. He was proud of his children’s accomplishments and always provided a large backyard party to celebrate.

Achille and his wife moved to Melbourne Beach, Fla in 1978 after retirement. Missing the family, they returned to New Jersey in 2000 when the grandchildren became school-aged. They moved to Whiting, NJ and now Poppy and Nanee could share every holiday with their families. Christmas Eve was a special time for them to fuss over the grandchildren and expand the dining table as the family grew. His family, especially the grandchildren, held the most important part of his heart.

Later in the years, Achille became a caregiver for his wife. He cooked, cleaned, grocery shopped and against her wishes would help with laundry always using too much bleach! It was afternoons of Judge Judy, Dr. Phil, FOX NEWS, and Jeopardy followed by Wheel of Fortune. If you were to visit you just had to grin and bear it!

Achille lost his beautiful wife Edith in 2021. It was a terrible shock to his life but his family kept him active and dancing became his greatest enjoyment. He loved to sit at the marina with his son, George, and go for boat rides. Fishing had always been a relaxing part of his life. He enjoyed sunning himself on his daughter, Coreen’s, deck watching the swans and ducks and feeding them the appetizers she would serve. He would say, “But they’re hungry”. In the earlier years, he would spend a month each summer on LBI with his family. On Dec. 6 2021 the family celebrated his 100th birthday at Ocean Gate Yacht Club with a live DJ, a visit from the Coast Guard, and lots of dancing with family and friends. It was a beautiful memory for all who shared the afternoon with him.

Achille was a humorous man who found great joy in living. He never had negative things to say about people, loved to sit in the sun, and enjoyed sitting with neighbors and joking about the world today. He enjoyed sharing time with Barbara, the “Meals on Wheels lady” and considered her one of his friends. Along with his health aides, he had his own Charlie’s Angels sitcom, he was the boss and they jumped when he spoke. If asked about his age he would tell you he was going to turn 98. He wouldn’t go to the community clubhouse because he felt the people were too old. Achille was young at heart and would have lived forever if given the opportunity. He loved his family and was blessed to have them by his side when he was called home. He always wanted to be remembered as someone who made a difference. He truly did.

Achille was predeceased by his beautiful wife of 69 years, Edith Adele (Baker), his precious daughter Cynthia(Cindy) Onnembo, his parents, Anna( Torre) and George Onnembo, his brothers, Dr. John Onnembo, Nicholas Onnembo, Bernie Kane, and his sister, Rachel Kopecke. Brother-in-law, Jay Kopecke, and sisters-in-law, Corinne Tonne Ufer, and Louise Onnembo, and nephew David Tonne.

He is survived by his loving sister-in-law Arlene Onnembo of Montville, NJ, his son and three daughters: Coreen and her husband, Clifford DiLea (Berkley Shores), Caryl Mearsheimer(Melbourne Shores, Fla), Caryn Jeanne and her husband Steve Sorrento(Hawthorne), son, George Onnembo and his wife Kristine(Collucci) (Pt. Pleasant).

Grandchildren: Tara, Tommy, & Christopher Mearsheimer, Suzanne & Steven Sorrento, Nick & Lauren Onnembo, Nieces: Edith Tonne-Walsh, Karen Sullivan, Diane Barone, Suzanne Olimpio, Dr. Sharyn Onnembo, Lynda Marconi, Vivian Onnembo, Bonnie Onnembo, Royale, China, and Jasa & Gina Barone. Nephews: Bobby Tonne, John Onnembo, Jim Onembo, John Sullivan, Dan, Tom & Ken Baron, Alex Olimpio, and John & Dominic Onnembo.

Very special people in Achille’s life include Capt. T.J. Mearsheimer, Agnes DeJacomo and his aides, Gloria Pacheco, Amelia Carr, and Mariam Amiranashivilli, Barbara Kosh, neighbors Jerry and Linda Sollers, Bill and Anita Dutton, Krystyna Maserati, the Crestwood Village 6 community, and many caring, dedicated nurses at Willow Springs Rehabilitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Achille’s memory to Deborah Hospital in Browns Mills, NJ, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of your choice.