Obituary for June Louise Paladino (Errickson)
“I tell it like it is.” June Errickson Paladino liked to declare with a matter-of-fact shrug of shoulders and tilt of her red-crowned head. Though to capture her, as she is (or was), seems an insurmountable feat given the limited parameters of this page; she was never one to be constrained to a certain format. A novel or one of the biographies she enjoyed reading would be a more suitable fit. June (94) passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Preferred Healthcare at Wall with her devoted daughter at her side.
Given the innate wisdom that drove her to “tell it like it is,” it is not surprising that the origins of the name June date back to Roman Mythology. The Goddess of Women and Youth, The Queen of the Gods, was Juno. In the true spirit of her name, June Errickson Paladino embodied all things feminine and an eternally youthful heart as she reigned over her life for ninety-four years.
June’s story started on May 14, 1924 in Long Branch, New Jersey and continued in Freehold, NJ. The fourth of Ellen (nee White) and Charles Errickson’s 7 children, June’s devotion to family started at a young age. She was an athletic, inquisitive child, and grew up surrounded by the love of her six siblings and parents. Throughout her life, she would be quick to inform anyone how lucky she felt to grow up in the Errickson family. Telling about her childhood like it was meant recounting stories of her and her siblings’ adventures and hijinx. The twinkle in her eye and the peals of her famous laugh that accompanied these stories proved how treasured these times were to her.
A member of “The Greatest Generation,” the plucky younger transformed into a spirited, beautiful woman that faced life with an indomitable spirit, grit, and independence. When she was 21, she embraced the challenges of WWII and joined the war effort; she began working in a defense plant making parachutes. There she met Michael Paladino. Their love ignited on the dance floor and remained fiery throughout their relationationship. The two were married on Dec. 7, 1946 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. They settled in Bohamtown, N.J. and welcomed two daughters: June Ann (Vitalis) in 1947 and Michele (Klein) in 1951. In the spring of 1963, the Paladino family moved down the shore to West Belmar, NJ and enjoyed the benefits of living in a beach town. Taking walks on the boardwalk or drives along the ocean remained some of June’s favorite things to do even throughout her later years.
June’s steadfast devotion to motherhood honed her ability to “tell it like it is.” She became a staunch advocate for her loved ones. There was no battle she would not fight for her family. Whether it was defending Michele’s actions to her Catholic grade school nuns or informing a granddaughter’s friend that she looked good at the prom, but her granddaughter looked better, no one was safe from June’s tenacious tongue of “truth.” Even her most beloved family members could count on her for a candid opinion. But she could also wield her powers in a gentler way. As mother and grandmother, June was selfless, innately nurturing, and exceptionally loving. Her loved ones knew they could talk with her about anything and receive the comfort of a fully attentive and accepting confidant empathetically sharing sage advice.
Never one to sit idly by, she held a variety of jobs throughout her life; some of her favorites were a school cafeteria worker in Lakewood Public Schools and a recess aide at Sea Girt Grammar School. Even retirement did not stop her her strong work ethic. She was never too busy to help out her family at both Ollie Klein’s and Klein’s restaurants throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, becoming a fast favorite of employees and customers. All the while she was working, June never stopped being of help to her family, spending countless hours babysitting her grandchildren as well as making many trips to Western Pennsylvania to visit June Ann, Alan, and their children.
Upon the death of Mike in 1990, she chose to take her life in a new direction, selling her home in West Belmar and moving to the retirement community of Laurelton Gardens in Brick, NJ. There she enjoyed spending time with friends and taking part in many of the social activities offered in the community. She remained a staunchly independent woman, despite having many admirers to whom she told it exactly how it was, and lived on her own until the age of 91. Even once she moved into assisted living, June marveled the staff at The Arbors with her independence and spryness.
True to the spirit of her name, a youthful heart powered June. Throughout her life, June always gravitated to children and they, sensing a kindred spirit, were drawn to her. Her own two daughters, June Ann and Michele, were the light of her life. Her fun-loving spirit and kind heart made her the favorite aunt of many of her nieces and nephews. Her 4 grandchildren: Tod, Elizabeth, Suzann, and Jacqueline shared a special bond with her. Mom-Mom could always be counted on for sage advice on anything from life and relationships, to decorating and fashion. To her 9 great grandchildren: Brianna, Max, Grace, Tod II, Genevieve, Calvin, Alexandra,
Giuliana, and Jack, she was a devoted playmate and source of love and laughter. Even the students at the schools where she worked were drawn to her, calling her the coolest lunch lady and using their play time to walk with her to talk and bond. The young workers at The Arbors, the assisted living facility she lived in, even gravitated to her, and June to them. Many times she would remark that they were what she enjoyed most about her new place.
Her youthful heart was powered by a progressive mindset that never dwelled long on the past but strove to stay current in the here and now. Her energetic spirit and quick-wired brain made her a night owl. Her sons-in-law, Alan and Ollie, reminisce about how it never mattered how late they brought her daughters home from a date. While they parked in the driveway saying goodnight, it was inevitable that a flick on and off of the porch light from June was the signal that the date was over for the night. Her late night TV viewing, as well as her all-night transistor radio listening, kept her updated with trends in medicine, celebrity gossip, politics, and UFO sightings. She remained in exceptional physical condition throughout her life, riding a bike around her neighborhood well into her 80’s and enjoying walks on the boardwalk. Her fun-loving spirit, and hip attitude endeared her immediately to children’s and grandchildren’s friends. Even the smallest get togethers with friends immediately became more celebratory with June present. In the spirit of one of her favorite songs “In the Mood,” she never shied away from a dance floor at a family party, impressing generations of guests with her agile moves and love of a good time.
Though at times, her telling of things as they “were” could be questionable. A spinner of yarns, June starred in many tales of her own making. She credited herself with starting Trick-or-Treating in her hometown. Also interesting to note, she attributed the start of the town’s first bike rental business to herself. Knowing how much she and her friends longed for bikes to ride and also aware of how much the town’s bike shop was suffering due to the hardships of The Depression, she approached the shop’s owner with her idea of renting bikes to children. A business was saved, and children were able to experience the joys of bike riding around town. An honorable mention goes to the time she was able to feed an entire hospital ward of newborns on her overabundant milk supply. Stories and songs were always part of her heart. Her grandchildren enjoyed listening to countless stories of her youth, as well as being tucked in with lullabies and original bedtime tales of mice leading armies attacking cats and lonely pine trees longing to be Christmas trees.
Her legacy of “telling it like it is” will carry on through her beloved family telling about her and how she was throughout all the stages, challenges, and triumphs of her life. June’s spirit was every bit as fiery as her natural red hair. Just as her tresses never fully faded into grey, neither did her pluck, nor will her memory as we strive to tell future generations about her just as she was.
June was predeceased by her parents Charles and Ellen (nee White) Errickson, her husband of 45 years, Michael A. Paladino, her dear daughter June Ann Vitalis in January of 2014 and her siblings Charles A., Dawson, and James Errickson, Evelyn Burke, Helen Weller, Beatrice Forcinito. She is survived by her daughter Michele Klein and husband Ollie of Spring Lake Heights; her son-in-law Alan Vitalis of Langhorne, Pa. She is also survived by her grandchildren Tod Vitalis and Nadejda Ilina, Elizabeth Klein Love and husband Brian, Suzann Vitalis Clarke and husband Christopher, and Jacqueline Klein Leon and husband Kenneth, her 9 great grandchildren Tod II, Max, Jack, Grace, Giuliana, Genevieve, Calvin, Brianna, and Alexandra. She also leaves behind adoring nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and staff at Preferred Care in Wall and the Arbors in Spring Lake for the wonderful care, compassion and comfort that was given to June.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 9:30am until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Interment will follow at the NJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery-Arneytown, Wrightstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Wall Methodist Child Care Center, 2414 Old Mill Road, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762.
For directions or to offer online condolences to the family, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
Given the innate wisdom that drove her to “tell it like it is,” it is not surprising that the origins of the name June date back to Roman Mythology. The Goddess of Women and Youth, The Queen of the Gods, was Juno. In the true spirit of her name, June Errickson Paladino embodied all things feminine and an eternally youthful heart as she reigned over her life for ninety-four years.
June’s story started on May 14, 1924 in Long Branch, New Jersey and continued in Freehold, NJ. The fourth of Ellen (nee White) and Charles Errickson’s 7 children, June’s devotion to family started at a young age. She was an athletic, inquisitive child, and grew up surrounded by the love of her six siblings and parents. Throughout her life, she would be quick to inform anyone how lucky she felt to grow up in the Errickson family. Telling about her childhood like it was meant recounting stories of her and her siblings’ adventures and hijinx. The twinkle in her eye and the peals of her famous laugh that accompanied these stories proved how treasured these times were to her.
A member of “The Greatest Generation,” the plucky younger transformed into a spirited, beautiful woman that faced life with an indomitable spirit, grit, and independence. When she was 21, she embraced the challenges of WWII and joined the war effort; she began working in a defense plant making parachutes. There she met Michael Paladino. Their love ignited on the dance floor and remained fiery throughout their relationationship. The two were married on Dec. 7, 1946 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. They settled in Bohamtown, N.J. and welcomed two daughters: June Ann (Vitalis) in 1947 and Michele (Klein) in 1951. In the spring of 1963, the Paladino family moved down the shore to West Belmar, NJ and enjoyed the benefits of living in a beach town. Taking walks on the boardwalk or drives along the ocean remained some of June’s favorite things to do even throughout her later years.
June’s steadfast devotion to motherhood honed her ability to “tell it like it is.” She became a staunch advocate for her loved ones. There was no battle she would not fight for her family. Whether it was defending Michele’s actions to her Catholic grade school nuns or informing a granddaughter’s friend that she looked good at the prom, but her granddaughter looked better, no one was safe from June’s tenacious tongue of “truth.” Even her most beloved family members could count on her for a candid opinion. But she could also wield her powers in a gentler way. As mother and grandmother, June was selfless, innately nurturing, and exceptionally loving. Her loved ones knew they could talk with her about anything and receive the comfort of a fully attentive and accepting confidant empathetically sharing sage advice.
Never one to sit idly by, she held a variety of jobs throughout her life; some of her favorites were a school cafeteria worker in Lakewood Public Schools and a recess aide at Sea Girt Grammar School. Even retirement did not stop her her strong work ethic. She was never too busy to help out her family at both Ollie Klein’s and Klein’s restaurants throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, becoming a fast favorite of employees and customers. All the while she was working, June never stopped being of help to her family, spending countless hours babysitting her grandchildren as well as making many trips to Western Pennsylvania to visit June Ann, Alan, and their children.
Upon the death of Mike in 1990, she chose to take her life in a new direction, selling her home in West Belmar and moving to the retirement community of Laurelton Gardens in Brick, NJ. There she enjoyed spending time with friends and taking part in many of the social activities offered in the community. She remained a staunchly independent woman, despite having many admirers to whom she told it exactly how it was, and lived on her own until the age of 91. Even once she moved into assisted living, June marveled the staff at The Arbors with her independence and spryness.
True to the spirit of her name, a youthful heart powered June. Throughout her life, June always gravitated to children and they, sensing a kindred spirit, were drawn to her. Her own two daughters, June Ann and Michele, were the light of her life. Her fun-loving spirit and kind heart made her the favorite aunt of many of her nieces and nephews. Her 4 grandchildren: Tod, Elizabeth, Suzann, and Jacqueline shared a special bond with her. Mom-Mom could always be counted on for sage advice on anything from life and relationships, to decorating and fashion. To her 9 great grandchildren: Brianna, Max, Grace, Tod II, Genevieve, Calvin, Alexandra,
Giuliana, and Jack, she was a devoted playmate and source of love and laughter. Even the students at the schools where she worked were drawn to her, calling her the coolest lunch lady and using their play time to walk with her to talk and bond. The young workers at The Arbors, the assisted living facility she lived in, even gravitated to her, and June to them. Many times she would remark that they were what she enjoyed most about her new place.
Her youthful heart was powered by a progressive mindset that never dwelled long on the past but strove to stay current in the here and now. Her energetic spirit and quick-wired brain made her a night owl. Her sons-in-law, Alan and Ollie, reminisce about how it never mattered how late they brought her daughters home from a date. While they parked in the driveway saying goodnight, it was inevitable that a flick on and off of the porch light from June was the signal that the date was over for the night. Her late night TV viewing, as well as her all-night transistor radio listening, kept her updated with trends in medicine, celebrity gossip, politics, and UFO sightings. She remained in exceptional physical condition throughout her life, riding a bike around her neighborhood well into her 80’s and enjoying walks on the boardwalk. Her fun-loving spirit, and hip attitude endeared her immediately to children’s and grandchildren’s friends. Even the smallest get togethers with friends immediately became more celebratory with June present. In the spirit of one of her favorite songs “In the Mood,” she never shied away from a dance floor at a family party, impressing generations of guests with her agile moves and love of a good time.
Though at times, her telling of things as they “were” could be questionable. A spinner of yarns, June starred in many tales of her own making. She credited herself with starting Trick-or-Treating in her hometown. Also interesting to note, she attributed the start of the town’s first bike rental business to herself. Knowing how much she and her friends longed for bikes to ride and also aware of how much the town’s bike shop was suffering due to the hardships of The Depression, she approached the shop’s owner with her idea of renting bikes to children. A business was saved, and children were able to experience the joys of bike riding around town. An honorable mention goes to the time she was able to feed an entire hospital ward of newborns on her overabundant milk supply. Stories and songs were always part of her heart. Her grandchildren enjoyed listening to countless stories of her youth, as well as being tucked in with lullabies and original bedtime tales of mice leading armies attacking cats and lonely pine trees longing to be Christmas trees.
Her legacy of “telling it like it is” will carry on through her beloved family telling about her and how she was throughout all the stages, challenges, and triumphs of her life. June’s spirit was every bit as fiery as her natural red hair. Just as her tresses never fully faded into grey, neither did her pluck, nor will her memory as we strive to tell future generations about her just as she was.
June was predeceased by her parents Charles and Ellen (nee White) Errickson, her husband of 45 years, Michael A. Paladino, her dear daughter June Ann Vitalis in January of 2014 and her siblings Charles A., Dawson, and James Errickson, Evelyn Burke, Helen Weller, Beatrice Forcinito. She is survived by her daughter Michele Klein and husband Ollie of Spring Lake Heights; her son-in-law Alan Vitalis of Langhorne, Pa. She is also survived by her grandchildren Tod Vitalis and Nadejda Ilina, Elizabeth Klein Love and husband Brian, Suzann Vitalis Clarke and husband Christopher, and Jacqueline Klein Leon and husband Kenneth, her 9 great grandchildren Tod II, Max, Jack, Grace, Giuliana, Genevieve, Calvin, Brianna, and Alexandra. She also leaves behind adoring nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and staff at Preferred Care in Wall and the Arbors in Spring Lake for the wonderful care, compassion and comfort that was given to June.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 9:30am until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Interment will follow at the NJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery-Arneytown, Wrightstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Wall Methodist Child Care Center, 2414 Old Mill Road, Spring Lake Heights, NJ 07762.
For directions or to offer online condolences to the family, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.