Obituary of Martin Cerza

Martin Cerza (Marty) passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 3, 2018. He was 81 years old.

Born and raised in South Orange, NJ, to parents Gerardo and Philomena (nee Magliaro) Cerza, Marty started his sports career with football at Columbia High School, playing quarterback for three years (1952-1954) and serving as team captain in 1954. Once graduated, he went on to attend Indiana University where he was a Hoosier football player. After his time in school, Marty served in the US Army as a Military Police Officer stationed in Germany in 1958 and 1959 where he also played football. After returning from Germany, Marty began to work for and ultimately became a partner in the family contracting business, Maple Contractors. Later, home became Roseland, NJ, and Marty owned and operated his own company, Cerza Maintenance Corporation. He was an active parishioner and usher for over 20 years at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Roseland, and he was a longtime member of the Board of Adjustments for Roseland.

Marty married the love his life, Joanne Balzano, and was a devoted and loving husband for 50 years. Together, they created their beautiful family, and Marty took on the title of “Best Dad Ever,” by his adoring daughters, Lisa and Michelle. In 1986, he became the president of the Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child’s Father’s Club in Summit and was active in his daughters’ lives. He was a doting father, driving them to and from school every day, taking them to dance classes, showing them how to cook, making every holiday of the year magical, and simply doing everything he could to make sure they were happy. His own hobbies included singing, playing poker, making his famous zuppa de pesce, but most of all, he loved taking care of his family.

Marty is survived by his loving wife, Joanne, his sister Luisa Borle of Lausanne, Switzerland, his brother Gerald of Basking Ridge, NJ, his daughter Lisa Campisi of Roseland, NJ, his daughter Michelle Martini (Matt) of Mendham, NJ, and his treasured grandchildren, Jamie Campisi, and Matthew and Mia Martini.

Visitation will be held on December 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd, Mendham NJ 07945. A funeral mass will be celebrated on December 7, at 9:15 AM at St. Philomena Church, 386 S Livingston Ave Livingston NJ 07039. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marty’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org.