Robert C. Thanel, 92, of Point Pleasant, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2019.
Mr. Thanel was born in East Orange to Elsie Condit and Joseph W. Thanel. He was raised in Hillside and Arlington/Kearny. After graduating from Kearny High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific during WW II, earning five battle stars before being honorably discharged.
Mr. Thanel worked for NJ Bell while attending Fairleigh Dickinson University. He then graduated from McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in NY, becoming a NJ licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1953. He worked in funeral service in Stanhope, before going on to own Thanel Funeral Home in Clinton, from which he retired. He also served as a volunteer Firefighter in Caldwell and Stanhope, and was a longtime member of VFW Post 4715, Point Pleasant, American Legion Post 348, Brick, Elks Lodge 1698, Point Pleasant, as well as the NJ State Funeral Directors Association. After retiring from funeral service, he went on to work for many years at the NJ Dept. of Corrections, Northern State Prison.
Mr. Thanel is survived by his beloved wife, Loraine Jones Thanel, daughters Nancy Pescatore, Tracy Taylor, Patience Verity and April Kaczetow, and son Robert W. Thanel. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Robert E. Thanel, Lauren Pescatore, Courtney and Jessica Taylor, and Rhett Verity, and his great-grandchildren, Daniel Thanel, and Olivia and Hunter Thambold.
Visitation will take place at O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick, on Thursday, July 25, 2019, from 6-9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Friday, at 10 AM, at the funeral home, followed by interment with military honors, at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local VFW or American Legion Post. Condolences may be sent via www.obrienfuneralhome.com.