Obituary of Neal Anthony Ercolano

Neal Anthony Ercolano of Long Valley, NJ passed away on June 29, 2019 at Southern Ocean Medical Center after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Neal was born in Somerville, NJ on August 4, 1945 to Sophie and Antonio Ercolano. He was an Army veteran, graduate of Duquesne University class of 1967, and Rutgers Graduate School. He taught 6th grade social studies in Branchburg, NJ for many years. He relocated to Long Valley, NJ in the mid-1970s where he opened Brook Run Farm, continuing the tradition of family-run fruit stands that his father began when he immigrated from Italy to the United States. Neal and family grew the “fruit stand” into a garden center and landscaping business, which he was very proud of. He was a natural businessman and entrepreneur and worked tirelessly until a few days before his passing.  

Neal was a proud Italian who loved to cook and share food with his family. He was an avid hunter and sportsman and enjoyed taking to the woods during hunting season with his prized English Setters. Neal was a proud “Vette” guy and lover of classic cars. He enjoyed taking to the road, driving north to Maine for hunting season, then heading south to his home in Long Beach Island, NJ for the summer months. He also spent many winters in Delray Beach, FL. Neal loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.

He was predeceased by his parents, Sophie and Antonio Ercolano and sister, Mary Ercolano Jarrett.

He is survived by daughters, Jana Rose Rojas and husband, Robert Oranchak of Long Valley, NJ, Jill Marie Ercolano of Jersey City, NJ, and Elizabeth Jane Pasquarella and husband, Paul Pasquarella of Union Township, NJ (Hunterdon), grandchildren, Joseph, Julia, Raissa, Anthony, and Paul, siblings, Lewis Ercolano of Hunterdon County, Lucille Ercolano of Margate, NJ, Assunta Ercolano and husband, John Morgan of New York, NY, Teresa Stair and husband, Tom of South Carolina, and Angela Ercolano of Whitehouse, NJ, along with many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 1:00pm at Our Lady of the Mountain Church, 2 East Springtown Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853

Friends may visit with the family on July 2, 2019  from 9am-12pm at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Long Valley Volunteer First Aid Squad and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.