Obituary of Ronald Joseph DeFilippis

Ronald Joseph DeFilippis “Ron” passed away surrounded by family on January 18, 2024 at the age of 72.  Ron was born in Newark, NJ to the late Phyllis and Joseph DeFilippis and graduated from Depaul Catholic High School.  A 1973 graduate of Siena College with a BBA in Accounting, Ron went on to earn an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University Graduate School of Business in 1977. He became a licensed CPA in the State of New Jersey in 1977, in the State of New York in 1978 and in the State of Florida in 2004.

Ron always joked that he started his career with the biggest accounting firm in the United States, the Internal Revenue Service from 1973 to 1975.  He established Mills and DeFilippis, CPAs in 1978, which continues today.  In May of 2010, Governor Chris Christie nominated Ron to be a Commissioner of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. He was approved by the Senate in June 2010 and in October of 2010 the Governor appointed him Chairman of the Commission.

Also a former Chairman at the Morris County Republican Committee, Ron loved politics and was an active member of the Morris County Republicans. He resided in Roxbury Township for over 40 years where he donated his time coaching youth sports, serving as a member of the Roxbury Library Foundation and the Finance Chairman at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Flanders. 

Ron’s greatest achievement was his family and he is survived by his wife, Patti of 48 years, his son, Christopher, and wife, Brie, his son Kevin, and his wife, Rosemary, and grandchildren, Caden, Landon, Siena and Ella, and brothers, Joseph and Garry.  He was a loving uncle, cousin and friend to many and will be sorely missed.

Visitation at the Norman Dean Funeral Home, 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ 07834 on Tuesday, January 23rd from 3pm-7pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, January 24th at 11am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 61 Main Street, Flanders NJ 07836.  Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, NJ 07936.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ron’s name to either Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Boys Town by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Please light a candle, leave a condolence, or share your favorite memory of Ron here to continue to celebrate his life and let his light shine.