Obituary of Angelo Fred DiOrio
Angelo F. DiOrio, 81, of Annandale, NJ, passed away on February 1, 2025, in Morristown, NJ. Angelo, ‘Ange’ to friends and colleagues, was born on December 9, 1943 in New York City, to the late Artenzio DiOrio and Maria (nee Scire) DiOrio. The family, including brother Artie and sister RoseMaria, moved to New Jersey in 1953. Angelo graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in 1961, Seton Hall University in 1965, and Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services in 1970. Ange met the love of his life, Barbara Pasick Russo, at Seton Hall in South Orange, NJ, where she was the first Co-Ed student, and the two were wed on May 31, 1966. Together, they raised two beloved sons, Paul and Christopher.
Angelo’s leadership and administrative skills, which were a hallmark throughout his professional life, were on display early. When at Seton Hall University, he was president of his service fraternity for two years, and created “The Senior Stock Corporation”, a working business producing concerts for the school, capitalized by members of the senior class for a few dollars each, but entitling them to a free Prom from the revenue (this was so successful that there were enough funds after the Prom to provide startup capital for the next year’s version!). His activities culminated in being nominated for, and then placed, in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities”, quite an honor in the 1960s.
Having been in ROTC, he graduated university in 1965 not only with a diploma but also with a set of Second Lieutenant bars, leading to entering Active Duty in the US Army in 1966. In the Service, he was first a Line Officer then a Staff Officer in a combat branch of arms, an Armored Cavalry Officer planted in a mechanized infantry. Positions held were: Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, ROTC Instructor, HQ Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Support Platoon Leader S4/PBO. His Battalion Commander, LTC Kenneth White, said of him, “Lieutenant DiOrio is a strong leader and a fine staff officer. He gets excellent results with a ‘low key’ approach.”
In 1970, within six months of graduation with a Masters in Social Work, Ange found himself the Director of Psychiatric Social Service at the then-named Hunterdon State School (today, the Hunterdon Developmental Center, for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders complicated by cognitive dysfunction, an education and residential facility). He initiated external programs with other agencies throughout the State and negotiated work assignments for residents in the community, an at-the-time innovative program that is now, thankfully, common practice.
From 1984 through 2004, Ange was the Administrator of Human Services for Hunterdon County. His many accomplishments include instituting the first consolidated countywide para-transit/public transportation system, The Link, which was subsequently emulated around the State, as well as in Colorado and Florida. He also facilitated the creation of halfway houses for both men and women, the construction of the Multi-Service Youth Residential facility (youth shelter), the development of the Battered Women’s Shelter, and a Transitional House. He also developed an award-winning countywide Student Crisis Response Team for youth/school related severe trauma incidents. He designed and implemented the first computerized, centralized information and referral system, leading to the State’s first, and country’s second, “211 System”. During his tenure, no less than 15 new non-profit agencies were initiated, and more than 54 major new programs or services were launched in the county.
After retiring in 2004, Ange focused on healing from throat cancer but eventually became restless. In 2007, he became the Executive Director of an agency that provided affordable housing for senior citizens in Somerset County New Jersey. This agency covered a gap in the senior housing environment by providing an environment that was more like a private house than an apartment building or hotel, with private bed and bathrooms and common areas for kitchen, dining, and recreation. This offered residents the experience of community living while still having privacy, in a more residential setting than most retirement and senior living facilities.
Retirement called once again, and this time Angelo stayed retired, spending time with his family and working on recovery from various health issues. Throughout his life, he cherished the simple joys of reading a captivating book and dining at fine restaurants. Most importantly, Ange treasured moments spent with his beloved family. He also enjoyed good music and rooting for his favorite teams: the Seton Hall Pirates, the New York Yankees, and the New York Giants. Ange finally succumbed to his health issues after a long, grueling, and valiant fight on a quiet Saturday morning. Angelo is predeceased by his parents, Artenzio and Maria DiOrio, and his brother, Artenzio DiOrio Jr. He will be deeply missed by his devoted wife, Barbara DiOrio; and his sons, Paul DiOrio of Minneapolis, MN, and Christopher DiOrio of Boonton, NJ; as well as his sister and brother-in-law RoseMaria and David Doran.
In lieu of flowers, donations in support of the nursing staff of Morristown Medical Center would be greatly appreciated. The nurses and nurse’s assistants at MMC took such wonderful care of Ange, and were his angels in these challenging weeks, as they had been in his prior stays at the Medical Center. Please use the link provided to Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, and select “Nursing” under Designation. https://www.f4mmc.org/donate-now/
A private graveside service will be held for Angelo by the family, with a memorial service scheduled for a later date. To send condolences to the family please visit www.martinfh.com