Obituary of Vincent J Presuto

Long time Hunterdon County Merchant Vincent J. Presuto, Jr., 83, of Readington Township peacefully passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington, with his family by his side. Born in Brooklyn, NY he was the son of the late Vincent Sr. and Teresa Presuto. Vincent previously resided in Dunellen and then North Plainfield. While working in Whitehouse Station, he developed such a great love for the area that he built his home and moved his young family to Readington Township in 1975. Vincent was a proud veteran of the US Army, serving in the Korean War from 1952-1954 as a Signal Crypt Specialist, Private First Class. He took great joy in sharing many stories of his activities while in the service, especially with his grandchildren. He spoke fondly of his fellow company while on assignments and when traveling throughout Europe during leaves. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Vincent worked at his father's produce market in Plainfield before becoming employed at the former Foodtown supermarket chain of Whitehouse Station. Vince held numerous positions at Foodtown, eventually becoming store manager, then district dairy manager. It was during this time he met and married his beloved wife of 51 years, Shirley (Hodge). Vincent and his brother Cosmo made the ultimate decision to follow in their Father's footsteps and become business owners themselves. Seeing a need for a local store, where customers could get anything from newspapers to knitting yarn to kitchen wares to having a key made, the brothers opened the first Mini-Chek Five & Dime in Whitehouse Station in 1969. The store became an instant success and had a great number of regulars where many long term friendships were formed. Three additional stores were opened in Kendall Park, Flemington and Califon. Vincent and Shirley were fortunate to have traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe and took many cruises in the Caribbean. They also enjoyed countless trips to Atlantic City. An avid train buff, Vince built an elaborate model train layout that included mountains, tunnels and towns that he loved sharing with his grandchildren He was a member of the Italian American Club in North Plainfield and the Sons of Italy Marconi Lodge in Whitehouse Station. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley, his parents Vincent and Teresa, and brothers Cosmo and Rocco. Vincent is survived by his two sons, Thomas and his wife, Debra of Ringoes, and Robert and his wife, Andrea of Kingwood; his sister, Rosalie DeFillipo of Apopka, FL and his four cherished grandchildren, Kevin, Patrick, Stephanie and Jonathan. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 390 Rt. 523 in Whitehouse Station, NJ on Saturday, May 16th at 9:30 AM. Visitation will be at Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway, Whitehouse, NJ on Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Entombment will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery and Mausoleum, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ.