Born: January 04, 1945
Died: October 25, 2014
Neal Esposito, age 69, died Saturday, October 25, 2014 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, surrounded by his family.
Born in Abington PA, he grew up in Lambertville, and moved to Stockton in 1966. Neal was active in the community and was always one of the first to respond when help was needed. He was a Stockton Borough Councilman for many years, and was currently serving as it’s Council President. He was a member of the Stockton Fire Co., and served as it’s President, Vice President, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Captain. Neal was an Exempt and life member of the NJ State Fireman’s Association, a former VP of the Stockton Fire Co. Delaware Relief Association, and a lifetime member of the Hibernia Fire Co. He was a former EMT of the Stockton First Aid Squad, a member of the Lambertville YMAC and the Amwell Outdoor Hunting Club.
Neal was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a skilled trap shooter, winning several awards for breaking 50 and 100 straight. He also enjoyed playing golf with his good friends.
Neal had a passion for cars, especially Corvettes, and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. In the 60’s and early 70’s, he could be found drag racing, winning several trophies at Atco, Vargo, and Englishtown Speedways.
Neal loved to dance and had the opportunity to dance on American Bandstand in 1963. He met Dick Clark when he helped set up the stage for dances at the Lambertville Skating Rink and had the pleasure of joining him for pizza after one of the dances at a good friend’s house.
The greatest joy for Neal was spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren, who made his life complete. He will be remembered with love and beautiful memories, and will be greatly missed by all who know him.
Predeceased by his parents, Neal and Josephine Esposito and his son-in-law, Bruce Mast, he is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marie (“Prissy”) Esposito, his daughter, Reath Mast, daughter and son-in-law, Leigh and Phil Ford, his four grandchildren, Taylor and Cassidy Mast, and Brandon and Jake Ford. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Hartigan and brothers-in-law, Chester Errico, Peter Errico and his partner, Henry Eick, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kim and Joe Franklin, as well as several nieces and nephews, including Matthew Hartigan, who was like a son to him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 30, 2014, at St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church, 1 Riverstone Circle, New Hope, PA. Interment will follow in Rosemont Cemetery, Stockton, NJ. Calling hours will be Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Garefino Funeral Home, 12 N. Franklin St., Rt. 179, Lambertville, NJ.