Sebastian R. Presty

Sebastian Robert "Sam" "Bus" Presty, 88, of Green Hill Retirement Community in West Orange, NJ, formerly of Caldwell and Verona NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 7, 2011 at Green Hill.

Sam was born at home, 16 Kirkwood Place, Caldwell NJ, on July 22, 1922. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Guiseppe and Guiseppina Prestifilippo, his brothers Angelo and Louis, and sisters Jeanette and Francesca Prestifilippo, and Christina (Lena) Lupo. His beloved wife, Marie Therese Jernstedt Presty, passed away in 1982. Surviving are his son, Scott Presty of Caldwell NJ, and daughters and their husbands: Ellen and Bill Ashworth of Gettysburg, PA; Jane and Steve DiRoma of Verona NJ; Wendy and Alan Huber of Butler NJ. Also surviving are: his grandchildren, Bryan (and wife, Dawn), Mark (and wife, Susan), and Melissa DiRoma, and Keith and Karen Presty; his great grandchildren, Jackson, Amelia, and Elena DiRoma; his nephew Michael (and wife, Marie) Lupo and their children. He also had many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

Sam graduated from James Caldwell High School in 1940, attended Seton Hall Prep from 1940 to 1941, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute from 1941 to 1942, and the University of Vermont in 1946. He served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1946 as an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class, serving 1 year aboard the ship, U.S.S. Prince William C.V.E. #31.

Sam married Marie on September 7, 1946, and they lived in Caldwell NJ for a short while before settling in Verona NJ.

Sam was employed by the NJ State Highway Department from 1946 to 1947, and by NJ Bell Telephone from 1947 to 1984, when he retired after 37 years of service. He began as a Splicer's Helper and retired as a Test Desk Technician. In retirement, he worked for Carnevale's Gulf Station, Verona; Terry's Drugs, Verona; and the Town of Verona.

He was a member of Our Lady of Lake Church in Verona, Maria S.S. Della Lavina Society, the Model A Ford Club of NJ, the Model A Ford Club of America, and the Telephone Pioneers of America. Sam enjoyed his antique cars, especially going on the Fall Foliage Tours. For quite a long time he had 4 cars at once: a 1929 Model A Ford 4 door sedan; a 1931 Model A Ford Cabriolet; a 1965 Original Cadillac Coupe De Ville; a 1982 Original Corvette Collectors Edition. He did many weddings with his Model A's and enjoyed showing each of his cars in various local parades.

Sam immensely enjoyed his involvement with the Montclair State University Baseball Team as their "Dugout Coordinator", where he loved sitting in the dugout with the boys, and going with them on their trips to California. Since 1987 he attended almost all their games both home and away while he was able.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Wednesday, January 12 at 10AM. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, (www.proutfuneralhome.com) 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 7PM

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sam's honor to the Montclair State University Baseball Diamond Club at MSU Diamond Club, PO Box 512, Glenwood NJ 07418.