Obituary of Philip Louis Grella

Phil Louis Grella, of Stanhope, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. He was 79 years young.

Born in Poughkeepsie, NY to the late Filipo and Jean Grella, he was raised in Newark and East Orange. He married the love of his life, Patricia Ann in 1961; together they found their forever home in Stanhope and raised their two beautiful children there. Phil was a very dedicated worker. He made a very successful career for himself as an Auto Leasing Salesman, starting out working in Morristown and retiring from Widger Leasing Corporation in Livingston in 2017 after over 40 years of service. He worked 60 hours a week to make sure he was able to provide for his wife and children and give them the opportunities in life that he never had. Due to his hard work, both of his children lead fortunate lives, attended college, and settled into great careers. Phil loved antique cars and painting. He had the best sense of humor and was also an avid sports fan; he especially loved boxing and the Giants. He was a talented golfer and loved spending time at the beach and Atlantic City. He was a former member of UNICO International, a former town council member in Stanhope, and former Police Commissioner for Stanhope, and a former Sussex County Committee man. While on the town council, he and the other members took an abandon park and cleaned it and revived it to give the kids somewhere safe to play. That was the type of man he was. He lived a simple life and never wanted for anything. He always put his family’s and friend’s needs before his own and we never took that for granted. Above all else, his family was his pride and joy. He will forever be missed and will remain alive in our hearts and memories.

Predeceased by his beloved wife, Patricia Ann, and his brother Frederick Grella and his wife Arlene, he leaves only joyful memories to his adored children, Debbi Grella Smith and her late husband Peter Smith and Philip Grella and his wife Maribeth; his cherished granddaughter, Isabella; his caring nieces and nephew, Sharon Bastianelli, Fred Grella, and Eileen Grella; his loving companion, Joannie Kurek; his dear sister-in-law, Annette Powell-Salerno; his doting pup, Jinx; and many cousins and friends.

Public Visitation will be held on Monday, July 22^nd from 3 – 7 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 23^rd at 10 am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Ave., Denville. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. The family kindly requests in lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Philip Grella be made to the Radiation Oncology Department at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. All gifts will be acknowledged to the family. Please make check payable to Saint Barnabas Medical Center or visit www.SBMCgiving.org to make an online gift. To make a credit card gift by phone, please call (973) 322-4330. Please leave a condolence and special memory for his family.