November 2025 Newsletter

We feel compelled to share what might have been the most topical Halloween costume idea seen yesterday: a guard at the Louve (wearing the tiara)!  What did you go out as…or the most creative outfit you saw?

November 11 is Veterans’ Day; at Rotary we’ll commemorate all who served by hearing from Honor Flights Southland…a group that flies veterans to Washington DC to see the monuments to the wars in which they fought, free of charge.  And then Thanksgiving…when we hope extended family members will trek to your home to commemorate this special time of remembering all for which we are thankful.

Our BHS Bengal Tigers finished with a 3-7 record…not much to brag about.  And, our always most-supportive Bloomfield Educational Foundation is in the midst of selling raffle tickets (put in $100 with the chance to win $1,000) so you might consider contributing again…or for the first time.

In September, we’ve heard from Armond D’Agostino,  Bob Delezenski, Eddie Abplanalp, Don Moore, Ann Zimmerman, Bob Alvine, Wally Riker, Peggy Schamburg, and new finds: Cynthia Marzulli and Joe Cappetto. Cynthia can be reached at dianealvine@icloud.com / 203.556.1031 and Joe, at joecap@cfl.rr.com and 201.787.3556.

Bob Delezenski sent along information of Leon Viola’s passing (obit enclosed), which obit mentioned Leon still being a close friend of fellow Alum Joe Cappetto.  Joe knew of the passing of Michael Angelo and Artie Caruso…both Obits also herein enclosed.

In next month’s newsletter we’ll include information (again for some) of the gifting to BHS of the proceeds from our 41^st reunion in 1996.  Bob Alvine was the principal architect for these and has provided narrative and pictures which will be of interest.

Our next Zoom reunion is TBA.  Wally Riker will again begin a 2 pm for those who may need help logging on.

Please bring us your ideas for speakers to connect us to our past, and content for our Zoom meetings and monthly newsletters.

Michael Angelo, Obituary

Retired Educator
Michael Angelo, Jr., of Rockaway, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2016. Born in Newark, he grew up there, also living in Bloomfield and Nutley before finally settling in Rockaway 24 years ago. He retired from the Newark Board of Education after 38 years of service as a teacher. Michael was an Army Veteran who loved to play racquetball & softball, was deeply devoted to his church and enjoyed watching the horses run at Monmouth. He also loved spending time with his family at the Jersey Shore.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda (Barboza) Angelo; four children, Heather Valle & her husband, David, Chris DelSordo & his wife, Lisa, Patrick Angelo & his wife, Laura and Dana Angelo, and three grandchildren, Francesca, Darren & Stella.

Arthur V. Caruso Obituary

Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather

Arthur V. Caruso, 84, of Belleville, passed away Friday, July 14, 2023. Born in Newark, NJ, Arthur was the son of the late Arthur D. and Edith (Sicoli) Caruso. He retired as a system analyst for Prudential Insurance Co., Roseland. He was a proud U.S. Army Veteran. Arthur was former president of Optimist Club of Belleville and was a member of Belleville High School Athletic Council. The beloved husband of the late Jean M. Caruso, Arthur is survived by his children Valerie Maglione and her husband Mark, Laura Caruso and her partner Marjorie Tovey, and Arthur J. Caruso and his partner Annie Intili, and three grandchildren Michael Maglione, Victor Caruso, and Joseph Caruso.

LEON G. VIOLA, Obituary

Retired US Army Captain Leon Gerard Viola, 86, of Pompton Plains NJ, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Leon was born on September 27th, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey to Maria “Vera” DelPriore (Viola) and Pantelone “Leo” Viola. His parents moved from Newark and brought Leon to their new home in Bloomfield NJ. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1956. After graduating from high school, Leon pursued higher education at Seton Hall University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, graduating in 1960.

Upon graduating college, Leon was drafted into the US Army. He proved himself to be a valuable asset to the Army with honors and upgrades in status. Leon completed a two-year tour from January 1961 to January 1963 as Captain US Army Artillery in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Leon acted as Assistant Adjutant on the general staff of a missile brigade and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. After returning back to New Jersey following his active duty, he served in the reserves as a Platoon Leader for Company K in the 312th Regiment in Kearney, NJ up to 1965.

Leon built a successful career in Accounting and Finance, beginning in April 1963 when he joined Sea Land as an accountant. Over the next few years, he advanced to a role in the Controller’s office, where he remained until December 1966. That same month, Leon transitioned to Becton Dickinson, where he held various management accounting positions within the Ivers-Lee Division. His expertise and reliability led him to the main BD division, where he oversaw Accounting, Reporting, and eventually Auditing functions based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Leon was a highly respected and trusted member of the Becton Dickinson team. His dedication and leadership earned him a promotion to Controller in November 1996, a role he held until his retirement in May 1997.

Throughout his life, Leon demonstrated a wide range of talents and gifts, including drawing, building model planes, playing the piano, tropical fish hobbies, sailing, fishing and more. While Leon developed an illness that reduced his mobility in his 50s that gradually left him unable to walk in his 70s, he was still extremely independent up until his final years.

Leon always took care of the people around him throughout his life. He was married to Barbara Schlesier in 1960 and they had two sons, Michael Viola and Thomas Viola. In 1977 he was married to Anita D’Alessio. Anita had 5 sons, Bart D’Alessio, Joe D’Alessio, John D’Alessio, Thomas D’Alessio and Patrick D’Alessio. Leon and Anita lived in Roseland, NJ together with their combined sons.

Every day of the week, he would go to his parents’ house in Bloomfield to do their shopping and work on their finances until Leo passed in 1990. He then had a strong desire to make sure his mother, Vera had the best care possible, so he made arrangements for himself and Anita to care for her at their home in Roseland which they did until she passed in 1998.

Leon refused to let his limitations deter him from remaining active or reduce his ability to take care of himself and his wife, Anita, who suffered with dementia. Even his car was customized with hand controls to ensure he could take care of himself and those around him. He regularly drove to Connecticut to visit his family and also drove back and forth to Florida during his retirement.

Leon was very loved by his family. His sons and stepsons were always together because of the respect they had for him. In his later years, his main mission in life was to care for his loving wife Anita as her health declined. He never wanted to leave her side, and when Anita passed in 2022 it was a very difficult time for him.

Leon was known for being meticulous about his finances and all the information that was important to his life. Leon was a very generous man contributing to many important causes that were dedicated to health improvements for those who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Leon was a patriot, had a strong love for his country, and gave to causes in which he sincerely believed. Everyone who knew Leon loved and respected him. Survived by his 7 sons, numerous cousins, family, and friends. We will all miss him very much.

Leon was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Leo and Vera, his loving wife, Anita Viola, his Aunt Ida (married to Edward Price) and his granddaughter Kyleigh D’Alessio. Leon is survived by his two sons, Michael Viola (partner of Chanda Guth) and Thomas Viola, his stepsons with Anita, Bart D’Alessio (married to Jeanne D’Alessio), Joe D’Alessio (married to Laura D’Alessio), John D’Alessio, Thomas D’Alessio and Patrick D’Alessio. His granddaughter Kara Horvath (married to Anthony Horvath), Jeremy D’Alessio, Julia Rose D’Alessio, Dylan D’Alessio (married to Bri D’Alessio) and his great granddaughters Harper D’Alessio and Haven D’Alessio. Cousins include Judy Tramontana and her two sons Jason and Marco. Jason Tramontana (married to Andrea Tramontana), their children Alex Tramontana and Sydney Tramontana. Marco Tramontana (married to Ceci Tramontana), their children Isabella Tramontana and Ethan Tramontana. Other beloved cousins include Vilma Castelli, Bruce Castelli (married to Debra Castelli), Linda Castelli, Joan Corallo, Michael DelPriore and Tommy DelPriore. His dear and long-time high school friend in Florida, Joe Capetta (married to Sue).