Eugene Tarantino

AMERICAN SHOE REBUILDING SERVICE

Shoe Repair Services & Leather Craftsman

WHITING, NJ

EUGENE A. TARANTINO, (“Gene”) (“Uncle Beans”) Son of the Late Angelo Tarantino and Beatrice Cosentino Tarantino, died on May 2, 2025 at Whiting Gardens, Whiting, NJ at 90 years young, having celebrated his milestone Birthday a week earlier on April 25th.

Born in Metuchen, NJ, Eugene was a long-time resident of Hopelawn, NJ, having retired to Whiting, NJ.

His Father, Angelo Tarantino, founded the American Shoe Rebuilding Service in 1937. It was a family run business proudly owned and operated until the doors closed upon Eugene’s retirement in 2000; it was renowned, and a staple of the local Perth Amboy, NJ community for many years. Eugene was the last of the family members to proudly operate the repair shop after his Father Angelo’s, his Uncle Tommy’s, and his Brother Anthony’s, untimely passings.

Eugene had a happy-go-lucky spirit, with a great sense of humor. He was renowned for his million-dollar smile. Many of his favorite customers came to the shop just to chat, even if they didn’t need any leather or shoe services. What Gene was most proud of was earning a Foot Reflexology certificate from Dr. Scholl’s. Gene was a true cobbler and craftsman, expertly crafting special orthotics and shoes by hand, retrofitting braces to shoes, and working with prosthetics, always expertly fulfilling doctor’s prescriptions. The business was known for replacing worn out shoe soles, saving people’s very best shoes. Gene’s favorite saying was: “I’m saving “souls,” one “sole” at a time. He knew that in his business, savings people’s souls, figuratively, was just as important as fixing the bottom of their shoes. Over the years, he helped so many of his customers by listening to them about their lives and often times their troubles. That’s what many treasured about him the most, his trust-worthiness and true sense of caring.

Gene happily enjoyed his retirement along with beloved wife, Virgina, and loved to socialize with their many friends and neighbors at Crestwood Village, Whiting NJ.

Religion and the Bible was also very important to him, and he formed many lasting friendships within the local religious communities, over many years.

He was an active member of the New Jersey Shoe Rebuilders Assn. for many years, where his father, Angelo served as past President.

Eugene was a proud veteran, having served in Fort Knox, Kentucky for the National Guard and spent some years in the army reserves.

Surviving are his loving wife of 36 years, Virginia Racz Tarantino; Former wife, Alberta LeGates, 2 beloved children, son, Jeffrey Tarantino of Perth Amboy, NJ (Patricia Dresch, fiancé); Daughter, Lisa Tarantino Lomba and her husband, Joseph of Allison Park, PA; beloved Grandchildren Dr. Kristin Clarkson, D.N.P., Stephanie Tarantino, & Joseph F. Lomba III, and his three Great-Grandchildren: Camryn & Shea Clarkson and Isaac Lomba, all of whom he was so proud of; and his beloved sister, Camille Tarantino Szucs, Edison, NJ; 8 beloved nieces and nephews; many beloved cousins; a beloved Brother-in-Law, John Racz, Hope Lawn, NJ, and many friends.

Eugene was predeceased by his beloved parents, Angelo and Beatrice, and his beloved brothers, Anthony (1991) & Salvatore (2005).

Committal was private by the Anderson Campbell Funeral Home, Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ.

In Eugene’s loving memory, the family respectfully requests considering a donation to the Whiting Bible Church, 95 Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ, 08759.