Michael J. Mitaritonna, 82, of Jackson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Michael was born in Brooklyn and had lived in Malverne, LI, the Willowbrook section of Staten Island, and Manalapan before settling in Jackson in 2003. He was the owner of M. Leasing Corporation in Manalapan until retiring, and a parishioner of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Jackson. A member of the Eastern Auto Racing Club, Old Timers, Michael had a passion for motorcycles and cars, and had previously participated in midget auto racing.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Sabrina Aasta Avellino; brother, Frank Mitaritonna; sister-in-law, Mary Mitaritonna; and brother-in-law, Louis Minerva. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Josephine Mitaritonna; children, Nicholas Mitaritonna and his fiancée, Susan Scialabba of Jackson, Linda Villane and her husband, Salvatore of East Windsor, Barbara Avellino and her husband, Thomas of Holmdel, and Michele Lechmanick and her husband Jeffery, of Hampstead, NC; fifteen grandchildren, Justin Mitaritonna, Sara Mitaritonna, Michael Mitaritonna, Gina Mitaritonna, Natalie Mitaritonna, Nicholas Mitaritonna, Jr., Nicole Villante, Kristin Lucas and her husband, Tiago, Danielle Villante, Anna Villante, Samuel Avellino, Kyle Lechmanick, Ryan Lechmanick, Daniel Lechmanick, and James Lechmanick; sister, Barbara Minerva of Ridge, NY; brothers, Angelo Mitaritonna of Las Vagas, NV, and Benjamin Mitaritonna and his wife, Emilia of East Setauket LI; sister-in-law, Arlene Mitaritonna of Shoreham, NY; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, March 17, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 9:00 AM for the procession to his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. Entombment will follow in Marlboro Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be made to his family. For information, directions or condolence messages, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

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