Angelo C LaValle

Angelo C. La Valle, of Eatontown, NJ, passed away at age 87 on Saturday, November 9, 2019. He was a devoted son to the late Carmine Charles and Rose (Petrillo) La Valle. Born and raised in NYC, “Big Boy” was the apple of his parents’ eyes as their only child. He ran the streets of Italian Harlem with his beloved cousins and told stories of these happy memories throughout his life. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Sue Hefner La Valle. He was a loving father to his seven children: Carmine (and Doreen) of Eatontown, NJ; Monica Campbell of Eatontown; Carl La Valle of Keyport; Michele La Valle of Keansburg; John (and April) La Valle of Freehold; Joe La Valle of Monmouth Beach; and Meredith (and Cory) Brown of Kingston, OK. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Nicole, Anthony, and Tommy; Victoria and Alexandria; Joey, Evan, Christopher, and Sophia; Angelo and Erica; and his two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Gina (with a 3rd great grandchild expected soon). He is also survived by his loving former daughter-in-laws, Dr. Carole Sherrod-Jewell and Michele Irons La Valle. He joined the Air Force in 1950 and was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Ft. Worth, TX where he met and married Margaret Sue Hefner. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War, having been honorably discharged in 1954. He and his wife moved back to NYC after the birth of their first child where they had two more children. They then moved to Old Bridge, NJ where they had three more children. Then they moved to Monmouth Beach, NJ where they had their seventh child. They lived many happy years raising their “own baseball team” by the ocean. After retirement, they lived in Tinton Falls and then finally, Eatontown, NJ. Angelo worked most of his adult life around the fashion and shoe industry. He became a director at Thom McAn, then was an advertising executive, working his way up to Senior Vice President, at Sawdon & Bess ad agency. He bought the Allenhurst Liquor and Deli when he retired from working in NYC and got to enjoy working with his wife and children for many years there. He worked part time in his later years at Monmouth Regional High School and at Monmouth University until he fully retired. Angelo was lovingly referred to as “The Hawk” by his children, as he always could sense if sometime was wrong with one of them and would question all the others until the secret was revealed. The word would go out that “the hawk was circling” and it was understood that he was prepared to help his kids with anything he could. His wife accurately would say that he would give the shirt off of his back for his kids. He was a funny, generous, sarcastic, intelligent, friendly man who spoke to everyone he came across. He read the New York Times every day cover to cover and liked to keep up on all the world news. On Sunday afternoons, he would be found cooking for his family (he was a great chef) with opera playing throughout the house. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling first class all over the world on various commercial shoots, often with his wife. He had the opportunity to meet many famous actors and actresses on sets and in his travels, including Pavarotti. He brought his children home the latest trends in music from Europe before albums were released in the US, toys from around the world, and clothing from shoots for his daughters. He will be missed by his children every day and by so many family and friends, including his beloved cousins, Jack Jasinske and Doug Jasinske (and Rob Curry), his brother-in-law, Joe Paul (and Jennene) Hefner, and his wonderful caregiver, Kelly O’Neil. A wake will be held on Wednesday, November 13th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724. He will be interred in Oklahoma with his late wife. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Angelo C LaValle

September 16, 1932 - November 9, 2019