Obituary of Joseph R. Acito

Joseph R. Acito, 88, of Millstone Township died Friday, July 11, 2014 at home. He was born in Bayonne. Mr. Acito was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star. He was a graduate Bayonne High School and Seton Hall University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Education Degree. He played basketball for Seton Hall and the University of Maryland. Mr. Acito was a teacher in the East Brunswick Schools before his retirement. He was a Dixieland jazz pianist with various bands in the 1950’s to the 1990’s including his own band, the Garden State Five. Surviving are his wife, Sheila Murphy Acito; two sons, Timothy Acito and his partner James Reynolds and Christopher Acito and his wife Jaleh; a brother, Chase Acito; a sister, Gloria Hilinsky; and two grandchildren, Kamran and Layla. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. A time of remembrance and sharing will be held during the viewing hours at 7:00 p.m. The interment will be held at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, PO Box 159, Madison, NJ 07940 would be appreciated.