In photo above: Deacon Anthony Nicholas DiCesare
Deacon Anthony Nicholas DiCesare, DDS, who ministered for more than two decades to the faithful at Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, died Aug. 9 at age 90.
A visitation and wake service is scheduled for Aug. 14 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Jerome Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 15, followed by a burial at Woodbine Cemetery.
A father of seven, grandfather of 18, and great-grandfather of two, Deacon DiCesare was born Dec. 23, 1935, in Rochester, New York, and spent his career as a periodontist. He was educated at Virginia Military Institute, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, and the New York University College of Dentistry, where he later taught. After graduating from VMI, he served as both an active-duty and reserve Army officer.
Deacon DiCesare is survived by his wife of six and a half decades, Gretchen, and by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Two of his children, Anthony M. Di Cesare, DDS, and Daniel Di Cesare, DDS, followed their father’s professional lead. His other children are Christopher Di Cesare, Teresa Staub, Sandra Montefusco, Maria Schiano and Julie Di Cesare.
Deacon DiCesare was ordained a deacon by Bishop John M. Smith May 14, 2005 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton.
St. Jerome Church is located at 254 Wall Street, West Long Branch.