Mark B Muscarella

   Mark Benjamin Muscarella O.D., 95, of Spring Hill, FL passed away on August 28, 2021, after a heroic battle with end-stage renal disease. Mark was born on March 2, 1926, in Garfield, NJ.  After graduating from Lodi High School, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and was honorably discharged at the end of WW II while training to be a pilot.  He graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in 1949 and practiced optometry in Keyport, NJ and Matawan, NJ  for 55 years. 

   He was very involved in various Keyport organizations. He served as president of St. Joseph Church’s Holy Name Society and was a charter member and past officer of the Knights of Columbus Council #3402 of Keyport. He received an award from the Keyport Lion’s Club for his dedication to children’s vision.  He served as chairman of the Keyport Zoning Board and was an officer in the Keyport Chamber of Commerce.  He was most proud of being a member and officer of the Keyport Board of Education. While serving on the Board of Education, major additions were made to both Keyport Central School and High School. He also chaired the curriculum, building and athletic committees.

   He was an organizer and past president of the Monmouth-Ocean County Society of Optometric Physicians and served for many years on the board of directors of the NJ Society of Optometric Physicians.

   Mark retired in 2005, and moved to Spring Hill, FL in 2008 with his wife, Janet. He was an avid skier and skied in most of the major areas of the U.S. and Europe. An avid Yankees and Jets fan, he went to the 1969 Super Bowl where the Jets beat Baltimore. He also followed his children’s sports activities including announcing high school football games.

   Mark was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Josephine (nee Schimmenti) Muscarella of Keyport, NJ as well as his brother Joseph Muscarella, Jr. of Arroyo Grande, CA.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Janet (nee Chapman) Muscarella, and his sister Giovanna and brother-in-law James Polito of Spring Hill, FL.  

   He has six children from a previous marriage to Virginia (nee Pickart) Muscarella: Stephen (Donna) of Middletown, NJ, Christopher (Bobbie) of State College, PA, Leslie (Michael) Volpe of Dorothy, NJ, Brian (Carol) of Charlotte, NC, Richard (Donna) of Berkeley Heights, NJ, Mary (Greg) Melou of Fairfax, VA.  He also has seven grandchildren, three step grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.

   Arrangements are under the care of Day Funeral Home, Keyport, NJ (www.dayfuneralhome.com).  Visitation will take place at Day Funeral Home, Keyport, NJ on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. A private graveside service will follow at Saint Joseph's Chapel Mausoleum.  

   In Florida, arrangements were under the care of Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill, Florida (www.merrittfuneral.com). Visitation was held at Merritt Funeral Home, Spring Hill, FL on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. A Funeral Mass was held at St. Theresa Catholic Church Spring Hill, FL and was livestreamed (www.saint-theresa.org), on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 10:00 AM.  
 
   In lieu of flowers please contribute to your favorite charity or local St. Vincent De Paul Society.

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