Tag: obituary

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RIP to the sweetest Mom ever..mine!

As many of you know, I put my life on hold three years ago so I could return home to care for my ailing parents. Both were battling cancer that had unfortunately metastasized, while my Dad was the first to leave us.

To the sweetest and kindest and most beautiful woman in the world – at least to me she was – here’s a tribute to my biggest fan – my Mom:

Rose Mary DiStefano Tola (1941-2025) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Monday, May 25, 2025. Born on March 10, 1941, she was 84 years young when she passed. For those who knew Rosie, as she was known to her beloved family and friends, she was the sweetest and nicest and prettiest yet strongest gal from North Trenton, who first appeared on American Bandstand with Dick Clark live from Philadelphia in 1957. Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, and a graduate of Trenton Central High School, she worked as a licensed beautician for several years before marrying Francis “Richie” Tola, a legendary barber and baseball mentor who recently passed away in October. Rosie also retired after 20-years of service with the Department of Education for the State of New Jersey. She was a caring and supportive wife of 65 years, as well as a mother to three wonderful children and four loving grandchildren. She is survived by the following: her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Pam Tola, her son Richard, her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Tuffy, her grandchildren Matthew and Samantha Tola, and Riley and McGwire Tuffy, plus numerous nieces. She is predeceased by her brother, Benedetto “Benny” DiStefano, and sister, Philamena “Phyliss” Wilson. Per her wishes, there will be a private family service only. To everyone she was blessed to have met, Rosie was a compassionate and kind soul, and above else, a proud mother and grandmother, beautiful friend, aunt, co-worker, client, patron and forever baseball and soccer fan – until recently, when she fell in love with women’s basketball. For her 84 memorable years of life, Rose Mary DiStefano Tola was a beacon of light and a wonderful listener who will surely be missed.

And here’s a picture of us a few weeks before she passed. Love you Mom!!

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Tribute to a Local Legend..my Dad

For those who knew my father, he was a man like no one else. I guess you could say my own uniqueness, and passion, and desire to go my own way was just like my Dad’s. RIP to a local legend who was arguably the best barber in the world – and best hitting instructor! Below please find his obituary and Celebration of Life event this Sunday.

FRANCIS “RICHIE” TOLA (click HERE to visit the Obituary)

Francis “Richie” Tola (1938-2024) passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Monday, October 28th. Born on July 7, 1938, he was 86 years young. For those who knew him, Richie was the greatest guy who had passion in everything he did. Born and raised in Trenton, NJ, he was a legendary barber for nearly 68 years beginning in 1957, one year after graduating from Trenton Central High School and serving in the National Guard. He was also a motivational mentor and hitting instructor to scores of kids and adolescents who ever played the game of baseball. He was revered for helping anyone and everyone who wanted it. The beloved “Richie the Barber” was also a terrific storyteller as well as an infinite source of knowledge, recounting true tales about the Mafia, baseball, Sicily (his home country), movies and anything medical related. As one longtime friend and customer tells it, “before there was Google, there was Richie.” He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Pam Tola, son Richard, daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Patrick Tuffy, four grandchildren, Matthew and Samantha Tola, and Riley and McGwire Tuffy, brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Carolyn Tola, his four nieces, and pre-deceased sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Joseph Pallotti. Per his wishes, there will be no funeral services. There will, however, be a Celebration of Life held in his honor on November 10th from 4-6pm, in the main batting cage at Nottingham Little League. In remembrance of Richie’s life and love, the family requests any donations be made to “Nottingham Little League”, P.O. Box 2521, Hamilton, NJ 08690. Thank you for being his friend, patron or baseball player he influenced throughout his wonderful life.

Thanks for your enduring impact on the world Dad, and with love and light, I’ll see you on the other side. RIP – R

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Try and try again

This morning I read the obituary for Dick Wimmer, a creative writing instructor and author who was turned down by publishers and agents 162 times over 25 years.  His first novel, Irish Wine, was conceived in the 1960’s then streamlined in the 1980’s – after his 80th rejection – until it was good enough to be published.  When finally released,  The New York Times raved about it, calling it “a taut, finely written, exhaustingly exuberant first novel”.  A wonderful reward for never giving up!  And a pretty simple lesson to try and try again.  So if there’s anything in life that feels hopeless and insurmountable, like your daily fitness program, think of Dick Wimmer and all his 162 rejections.  And enjoy strengthening your legs with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #89.  – R