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BERGENFIELD, N.J. – John Rinaldi, of Bergenfield, died Monday, Jan. 25 after a battle with cancer. He was 72.
He was born on his mother's 31st birthday, Aug. 24, 1943, in Hoboken. His parents were Anthony J. and Laura G. (Scioli). He had a sister, Rita C. and brother, Tony, and lived in Cliffside Park and Hoboken.
He graduated from Xavier High School in New York City in 1961 and St. Peter's College in Jersey City in 1965, where he participated in the Army ROTC program. He earned a master’s in business from The University of Utah. His U.S. Army career started in 1965 and continued until his retirement in 1987. He served two different tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He served in Hawaii, Germany, Panama and South America.
After his service in the Army, he moved back to New Jersey, where he became active in Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Bergenfield. He was a teacher and taught at St. John the Evangelist School for 15 years. He was the president of the Parish Council and formed a tennis club for the students.
He is survived by his son, John H. (J.R.); his daughter, Portia B.; his granddaughter, Lily; his wife Ruth; sister Rita (Buddy Luciani); his brother, Tony (Olga); his niece, Amy Arce; nephews Tony, Jr. (TJ), Matt, and Andy Luciani; as well as many friends.
Memorial visitation will take place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at McCorry Brothers Funeral Home, 780 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park. A funeral will take place at 8:45 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 29 N. Washington Ave., Bergenfield. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 29 N. Washington Ave., Bergenfield, NJ 07621 or to Army Emergency Relief.
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