HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) – Alphonse A. DiMaio, former Hackettstown council member and the father of Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio, died on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Hackettstown Medical Center after a short illness. He was 89.
DiMaio was a member of the undefeated 1951 Hackettstown High School Football Team which was arguably one of the best in the school’s history. Although small in stature he played guard earning 1st Team Group 1 and 3rd Team all Groups All-State Honors. The team was ranked 11th in the State of New Jersey and as a unit only allowed 38 points to be scored by their opponents for the entire season, according to his obituary.
DiMaio served in the New Jersey National Guard, 50th Armored Division, 113 Tank Battalion, Company B from July 15, 1951 to July 15, 1960 and in the U. S. Army Reserve from July 15, 1960 to July15, 1962, having achieved the rank of Sergeant, his obituary said.
DiMaio was a partner in two construction companies: DiMaio Brothers, Inc. and later as the President of A. DiMaio & Son, Inc. of Hackettstown. He was an incredibly talented tradesman and businessman mastering both the carpentry and masonry trades, his obituary said.
DiMaio also shared his talents as a two-term member of the Hackettstown Town Council from 1967 to 1972. He also served as a member of the Planning Board, according to his obituary.
DiMaio is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann (McConnell) DiMaio, a son, John DiMaio and his wife Gina, a daughter, Deborah Dilatush and husband Jon, a brother Gerald, granddaughter Sierra DiMaio and companion Jon Nelson, granddaughter Brittani Wittmann and husband Josh, granddaughter Christine Meyers and husband John, great grandson, Wyatt Wittmann, and great granddaughter, Ryleigh Nelson.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 4 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home, located at 905 High Street, in Hackettstown. The funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 5 at Cochran Funeral Home, with Father Leopoldo Salvania officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in Hackettstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Alphonse may be made to Hackettstown First Aid & Rescue Squad, PO Box 201, Hackettstown, N.J. 07840 or to the Hackettstown Fire Department, 110 Moore Street, Hackettstown, N.J. 07840.
