Obituary of Richard J Amelio

Richard Joseph Amelio, Sr. of Buena, NJ age 78, died July 5, 2014 after a brief illness. Born in South Philadelphia, he was a 1954 graduate of Haddon Heights High School and a Sergeant in the US Armed Forces having received an honorable discharge in 1961. Richard worked in the food industry in the Delaware Valley for many years as a butcher and manager for Penn Fruit. He was the owner of two Colonial Village Meat Market stores in Northeast Philadelphia. A longtime-union bartender, he also worked at the White Sparrow Inn in Vineland. He later retired from Philadelphia's Quaker Valley Foods. Having lived for many years in Somerdale, NJ, he later moved to Newfield, NJ. Richard enjoyed shooting and hunting and was a member of the Newfield Sportsmen Gun Club, the Quinton Sportsmen Club and the Etna Gun Club. On numerous occasions during a 25 year span, he held the New Jersey Skeet Association's State Championship title for 12, 20, 28 gauge and 410 bore as well as the American Trap Association State Championship title for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. He is survived by his companion and wife of 23 years Marie (Petretti) Amelio. Also surviving are his three children: Francine Amelio (Michael Klein) of Blackwood, Richard J. Amelio, Jr. (JoAnne Zeltner) of Runnemede, Catherine Amelio-Meighan (Charles) of Cherry Hill, grandchildren Adrienne (Leahy) Miller, Richard J. Amelio, III, Nicole (Amelio) Thomas, Monica Leahy, Lauren (Amelio) Booth and eight great grandchildren. His extended family includes his wife's four children: Terry (Lopergolo) Carpenter, Michael Anthony Lopergolo, III, Lisa (Lopergolo) Tramontana, Anita (Lopergolo) Bertonazzi; their spouses, children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother Catherine Amelio and his beloved pal "Coco." In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Divine Mercy Parrish, 23 West Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, N.J. 08360