Thomas J., 84, of Pompton Plains, NJ passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. Born and raised in North Bergen, he resided in Paterson graduating from Eastside High School, Fair Lawn and Lakewood before moving to Pompton Plains two years ago. After earning a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University in Wayne and a master’s degree from Montclair State University in Montclair, Thomas continued his education at Columbia University. Mr. Cannito was a member of the Fair Lawn and Brick Rotary Clubs and past president of the Fair Lawn Rotary. Tom enjoyed fresh water fishing.
Tom spent more than thirty-five years as an educator in Fair Lawn starting as an elementary school teacher and serving as superintendent with the Borough of Fair Lawn Board of Education for twenty years, before retiring in 1987.
Beloved husband of Virginia (Moran) Cannito. Loving and devoted father of John Cannito and wife Rosanne and Karen Ecker and husband Paul. Cherished grandfather of Robin Cannito Gold and husband Evan Gold, Katie Cannito, Keri Ecker and Daniel Ecker and wife Brooke. Loving brother of Marie Schreck and late husband Albert. Dear brother-in-law of Doris Weisberg and husband Jerry Weisberg, M.D. and John Moran. He is also survived by many caring family members and friends.
A funeral mass is planned for Monday, January 14, 2013, 10:30 AM at St. Anne R.C. Church, 15-05 St. Anne Street, Fair Lawn, NJ. Interment will follow at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes. The family will receive relatives and friends Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Vander Plaat-Caggiano Funeral Home, 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ, 201-797-3500.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Thomas may be made to the Cedar Crest Scholarship Fund, C/O Cedar Crest Village, 1 Cedar Crest Village Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 or a food bank of choice. For additional information, please visit www.vpfairlawn.com.