Louis Toma

Louis Toma


Prudential Manager, WWII Wounded Veteran


Beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather





Louis Toma of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2012 surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.





Lou was born to Vincent and Jennie Toma in New York City on April 11, 1921. At the age of two, his family relocated to Newark, New Jersey. Lou is survived by his brother Vincent and David Toma, and his sister Marie Patti.





Lou was a Sergeant and squad leader during World War II and was severely wounded by mortar shrapnel while storming the Maginot Line in France. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service. After the war, Lou returned home to Newark where he was manager for Prudential for forty-three years heading the entire food distribution for the company.





Thank you Dad and Grandpa for teaching us all of life’s valuable lessons, both positive and difficult, that you experienced over your long journey.





Lou will be lovingly missed by his son, James and wife, Diane; his daughter, Lois Gaglione and husband, Dennis, and son John and wife, Debra; eight grandchildren, Deana Rittenhouse, Melissa Toma, Christopher Toma, Kristin Gechtman and husband, Brian, Jillian Semon and husband, Howard, Jonathan, Jordan, and Brittani Toma, and his great grandchildren, Olivia and Sophie Rittenhouse, Jake and Chase Gechtman.





A special thanks to Ilma and Shirley for all the love you gave our dad.





The funeral is at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave., Union, on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. The Funeral Mass is at St. Theresa Church, Kenilworth at 10 a.m. Entombment is in St. Teresa Cemetery in Summit. Visitation is Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. For directions or to send condolences visit galantefh.com.





The family prefers memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, or Woundedworriorproject.org in his memory.