Vincent Zalasar, Sr, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at Southern Ocean County Medical Center in Manahawkin. He was 93 years old.

Born on November 3, 1929 in Newark to the late Cepriano and Esther Mulhall Zalasar, he has resided in the Avenel section of Woodbridge Township for the past 54 years.

His father Cepriano Zalasar was a Merchant Marine and met his mother Esther in England. They got married and had 3 daughters in Liverpool England.  Esther and her 3 daughters took a ship (The Franconia) over to the USA in August 1927 for a better life (Cepriano would join his wife and children months later they couldn't afford for all to go at once). His brother Frankie (birth name Franconio) named after the ship was born on the ship on the way to Ellis Island USA. Vincent the youngest of 5 was born in Newark NJ on November 3, 1929.  As a young boy living in Newark he would shine shoes for 5 cents, something he remembered till his last few days of life. They had no money but lots of love to make them rich.  He Never finishing high school taking a job to help support his dad who was now sick and dying.  After his dad passed he joined the Marines.  After serving in the military and returning to civilian life now married he became a plumber.  He learned on the job for there was no money to go to school for that. Both of his parents had passed away by the time he was 18 and he was on his own.  He was employed as a plumber with L & M Plumbing in Irvington and United Oil in Hillside. Vinny enjoyed sports and favorite professional teams were NY Yankees, The Giants and Notre Dame also going to and video taping just about every game his sons and grandchildren played in.  It didn't matter what they did, soccer, baseball, football he was there to cheer them on all the time. My mom would say to him "anytime the kids have a game your ready to go in 5 minutes and when we have to go to the store it takes you 1 hr"  ..it was true.  He was their number 1 fan to the end.

Mr. Zalasar was a communicant of Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Avenel for 54 years and served as an Usher for many years till he wasn't physically able to do it. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1948 until 1952 becoming a Sargent. He belonged to T. Nulty Post 471, American Legion, Avenel Memorial Post 7164, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Corporal Kevin J. Reinhard Detachment #189, United States Marine Corps League. Vincent talked about his times in the Marines and how he sometimes hitchhiked from Cherry Point NC where he was on base to Newark NJ (when he got a long weekend off) to see his family and girlfriend Rita Desch.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Rita Desch Zalasar, in 2020, and son, Vincent "Butch" Zalasar, Jr., in 2004. His sisters Irene Grosinski, Rita Janus, Josie Wojtowicz and Brother Frankie Zalasar.

Surviving are his sons, Dorian Zalasar of Avenel, his partner Ramon Ocasio of Fords and Brian Zalasar his wife Sandi of Mystic Island, 5 Grandchildren Brian Jr (wife Val), Keith (wife Lauren), Tiffany Masters (husband James), Cody and Matthew. 8 Great Grandchildren, Kinsley, Oaklyn, Ava, Keith Jr, Vincent (named after his great Grandfather Vincent), James, Amelia and Millie.

Funeral services for all family and friends to attend will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2021 at 8:45 a.m. from Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel. A Funeral Liturgy will follow at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, Avenel. Interment will be in Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. Repast afterwards will be at The Firehouse Pub , 455 Saint George's avenue Rahway at 12 noon. All family and friends welcome to attend,  have a bite to eat and celebrate Vincent's amazing life. Visitation for all family and friends will be on Friday from 3 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers you can make check out to MCL DET. 189 NJ  and mailed to MCL det. 189 c/o W. Szabunia, 27 Heidi Drive, Fords NJ 08863-1334 in Mr. Zalasar's memory would be greatly appreciated by his Family.