Eugene Melleno

Eugene Melleno — Loving brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, teacher and coach, Eugene Melleno, 59, of Springfield N.J. and Pocono Lake, P.A., passed peacefully on Jan. 1, 2018 after a courageous and dignified battle with Leukemia.

He was a devoted husband to Robin (Germinder) Melleno, father to Alexander and Anne Marie Melleno and brother to Geraldine Grillo (Anthony), Louise Pastore (Matthew), Theresa Bell (John) and Mauro Melleno (Timothy Flannery). He was also an uncle to 20 nieces and nephews, six great nieces and nephews and a number of cousins.

Eugene was born in Jersey City, N.J. to Alex and Theresa Melleno. He was a graduate of Lyndhurst High School, where he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, and Kean University. Eugene was a Physical and Driver’s Education teacher for 35 years at Cranford High School and retired in 2016. He coached football, baseball, tennis and his favorite, basketball, at Brearley, Madison and Cranford high schools. He had more than 300 career wins as a basketball coach and was Coach of the Year in 1987.

Eugene loved teaching and setting up legendary tournaments. He introduced pickle ball to his beloved second home community and was a Third Degree Knight of the Springfield Knights of Columbus 5560.

Nothing brought more joy to Gene than spending time with family and friends-he was always ready to have a good time with those he loved.

Relatives and friends are welcome to the visitation on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Higgins & Bonner - Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, N.J. A funeral mass will be held at St. James the Apostle Church, 45 South Springfield Ave., Springfield, N.J. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, please kindly send a donation in his memory to the Clara Goy Foundation, 92 Second Street, Hackensack, N.J. 07601.

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