Obituary of Michael Meola

“The only true gift is a portion of yourself”

            Ralph Waldo Emerson

After spending a beautiful Christmas with family and friends, Michael Meola passed peacefully at home on December 26, 2021.  He shared 85 years of service and selflessness with his family, community and so many others.  His altruism and joy will surely be felt for many years to come. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 31^st at 10 am at St. Mary’s RC Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville.  Military Honors will be present. Friends and relatives may visit on Thursday, December 30th from 3-7 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Avenue.

Let’s keep everyone healthy. Masks will be required for all services.  

Michael's Funeral Mass will be live streamed.  If you are unable to be with us or would prefer to watch from the safety of your living room, please click on this link a few moments before 10 am on Friday morning. 

Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to Gift of Life, NJ by way of  http://giftoflifenj.org/  or www.inmemof.org ….saving one little heart at a time.

Born in Morristown to the late Dorfe & Josephine (nee Barrett), Michael was one of seven children to bless the Meola family.  He was a kind young man and fortune came his way early on.  In high school, he met the beautiful Mary Timpson.  The two were inseparable and began planning their life together.  Mike knew he wanted to be a builder and with Mary by his side, they would be just fine.  They married on a beautiful spring day in 1956 at St. Margaret’s Church.  Mike had just joined the US Marine Corps, and soon after “they shipped my ass to Japan.” As a 19 year old boy, he climbed Mt. Fuji.  This was one of many adventures Mike loved to share. He proudly served with the Marines for three years, but as they say…once a Marine, always a Marine.  Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home and he and Mary settled in Denville where they started a family of their own.    It didn’t take long for him to start giving of his time here.  He joined Rotary in 1972 and was still an honorary member till his last day with the Denville Luncheon Club.  He served in every capacity, on every chair and also as Past District Governor.  Mike was a Paul Harris Fellow and was always a doer- particularly when it came time for the Rotary Street Festival, Santa Land and other builds and events.  He won several awards for his training and mentoring through the years. 

Mike played an integral part in establishing “Gift Of Life”.  His club was the first to sponsor a child and he and Mary were the first host family.  What a gift for all involved.  He was able to be a host many times there after and was blessed to visit many countries through this incredible journey.  He has been on five continents and was fascinated by every destination.

As Meola Home Builder President, Mike was known as the SlopeMaster.  We all know this area has some steep terrains and rocky ones and Mike loved a challenge. He built over 150 homes through the years.  Many on the slopes and hills of our town.  He truly designed outstanding construction projects.  He never stopped consulting with his son Mike and shooting the breeze about current projects.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved being on the ocean. He served as president of the Comanche Archery Club at the time of its existence. He truly loved the outdoors. 

In the Meola home, it was tradition each year to make wine.  These days always brought more family and friends and lots of great laughs.  Mary would be cooking up a storm as they pressed and bottled!  

Of course, above all, Mike loved to be surrounded by his large family.  Holidays, birthdays or any day made for a great time to be together.  Although we are saddened by his passing, we are grateful he is with his dear Mary again.  We will forever appreciate his dedications and passions for his family and community.

He leaves his children James (Lynn), Michael (Loriann) and Mary Meola; his adored grandchildren Corey Applegate (Ken), Sandy Haley (Josh Psycher), Kasey Snyder (Nick), Steven Meola, Michael Meola (Kara), Alyssa Shannon (Rob), Courtney Meola, Jenifer Mattioli (Nick), Sara Leonard (Michael) and Daniel Mascuillo; his ten great grandchildren Nicholas DeFelice and Kayla Mattioli, Annabelle and Jason Applegate, Isabella Haley, Ryan and Samantha Snyder, Bailey Leonard, Emmett Shannon and baby Shannon on the way!; his siblings Frances Meola, Louis (Barbara), John (Carol) and Thomas (Peggy Ann), sister in law June Meola and many nieces and nephews, fellow Rotarians and friends.  His brother Joseph, sister Geraldine and his loyal pup Clancy passed previously.

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy."

-Tagore