PARSIPPANY — Nicholas “Nick” James Cerbo, 86, died on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Morristown Medical Center.
Nick was born in Boonton on December 7, 1931 and was the son of Salvatore and Stefanina (Perrotta) Cerbo, Italian immigrants. His family moved to Parsippany when he was six years old. Nick graduated from Boonton High School in 1949 at a time when Parsippany didn’t have a high school. He attended Boys State in his junior year.
Nick was the owner of Cerbo Lumber & Hardware which was started by his family in 1948 and proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
Nick had a ready smile and was a friend to all. He loved to read. He enjoyed antique cars and trucks. He took pride in giving tours of the lumber yard to school students and Boy Scout troops and has sponsored many Eagle Scout projects.
Nick was active member of his community. He loved local history and hosting talks about the early days in Parsippany.
He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, and an inactive charter member of the Parsippany Elks. His business is a member of both the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and Montville Chamber of Commerce. He previously sat on the Montville branch Advisory Board of Lakeland Bank and was a long-time member of the Morris County School of Technology Building Trades Advisory Board.
Nick was a founding and active member of the Morris County Organ Transplant Group, having received a life-saving heart transplant in 1996. Nick had one of the first portable LVADs at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Both surgeries were performed by Dr. Mehmet Oz. He was a proud NJ Sharing Network Ambassador.
Nick was the Parsippany Rotary Outstanding Businessman in 1990, with his brother Rocco, and Rotary Citizen of the year in 1993. His business was a finalist in the Rothman Institute of entrepreneurial studies family business of the year. He received the Good Scout Award from Patriots Path Boy Scouts Council, was a UNICO Man of the Year, Italian American Man of the Year and received the key to the township of Parsippany. Nick was awarded a silver life membership in the PBA by the Parsippany Police Department in 1971. Nick was also NJ Lumberman’s Association Lumberman of the Year in 2006.
Nick is pre-deceasd by his brother, Rocco Cerbo, and his sisters, Filomena A. Cerbo and Anna R. Detaranto.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Margaret Mary (nee-Cahill); his daughter Catherine “Cathy” Mary Cerbo; Nick is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends.
Visitation is at Par-Troy Funeral Home, 95 Parsippany Road, on Monday, October 8, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Graveside Service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Saint Mary Cemetery, 371 South Main Street, Wharton.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the NJ Sharing Network Foundation, 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974.
