Obituary of Michael Angelo Guarino

Guarino, Michael Angelo, 86, of Lyndhurst, died on January 15, 2015. Mr. Guarino was raised in Lyndhurst and his parents had the famous 'double dip ice cream parlor,' where in the 1940's you could get a homemade ice cream for a nickel. He later served in the Air Force but left when his father died. He returned home to Lyndhurst. He worked for Tuscan Foods where he realized quickly he wanted to serve the public and began working in the locals and then the state public health system; Later, he became Bergen County Director of Health for over 20 years. He has traveled the world many times, giving presentations about public health and was one of the first to see recycling as a real way to make a difference, was one of the original public health officers to recognize relaxing drunk driving was hurting the public and worked with the County Sheriff and started drunk driver checkpoints where stopping one hundred percent of cars and checking for drunk drivers. He was very influencial in changing the Bergen County dump and stopping illegal dumping there. Michael also served for Essex and Passaic counties departments of health as a Consultant and Acting Director in his retirement as well as received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the County Health Society. He served also as a Board Member of the Lyndhurst School Board. He was actively involved at the Bergen County Animal Shelter and ran for State Offices, as both a Representative and a Senator. Also, volunteered many hours in service to the South Bergen Mental Health Society. Michael was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Barbara (nee Kyttle) Guarino, by his sister, Joan Borghi and by his grandson, Michael Zumbo. He is survived by his five children, Irene Guarino Zumbo, Michele Guarino, Michael A. Guarino Jr., Gerard Biagio Guarino and Stephen Y. Guarino and by his ten grandchildren, Joseph, Brittany, Olivia, Madison, Biagio, Michael, Noah, Michael, Mauro and Kayla and his three great grandchildren, Maria, Giovanni and Brooke. The world will be not be better place without him. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral from Nazare Memorial Home, Inc., 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10 AM then to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Lyndhurst where at 11 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Cremation Private. Visiting hours Friday 4-8PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Eva's Villiage, 303 Main Street, Paterson NJ 07501.