Kenneth M. Avallone, 87, of Freehold Township passed away at CentraState Medical Center on Tuesday September 16, 2014 surrounded by his loved ones. Ken was born and raised in Brooklyn, eventually moving to Freehold Township in 1970. Prior to graduating from Fordham University, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for two years. Ken was a catcher for the Brookyln Senecas and the Cadets semi-pro baseball teams. He was the last player to hit a home run at Ebbets Field. Ken was a player and original member of the Freehold Township Woodpecker men’s softball team known by his teammates as Chuckles. In addition to his full-time position as salesman in the cosmetics industry, he was an usher and ticket taker at Madison Square Garden for over 45 years. Ken worked at many other professional sporting venues including Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium and the U.S. Open at Forest Hills.
Ken is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy H. Avallone, whom he adored; five sons, his caretaker, Bobby Avallone, Richard Avallone, Steven Avallone, Ronald Avallone and his wife, Shirley, and Michael Avallone and his wife, Beth; two daughters, Susan Orlowsky and her husband, Chris, and Lisa Murphy and her husband, Chris; thirteen grandchildren, Ryan, Richie, Chase, Lauren, Kyle, Jennifer, Tommy, MacKenzie, Zachary, Jackson, Jordan, Griffin and Peyton; and four great grandchildren, Greyson, Nina Marie, Moorea and Annabel Lee.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle NJ Veteran’s Cemetery, Arneytown. For those who desire, contributions in Ken’s memory may be made to CentraState Healthcare Foundation, 916 Route 33, Suite 6, Freehold, NJ 07728. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.