Dennis F Ciliento

Dennis Frank Ciliento died peacefully on May 7th 2021. 

Born in Garfield, New Jersey on September 23rd 1941 to Frank and Jessie Ciliento, Dennis grew up in the city of Passaic. He graduated from Passaic Senior High school in 1960 and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University. He then joined the Army, serving proudly from 1961-63 in Berlin, Germany.  Upon his return from Germany he attended the New York Hair Styling School in New York City graduating in 1964. He  began his career as a barber in Patterson, obtained his pilot’s license and met the love of his life Jacqueline on a blind date in 1965.

Dennis and Jacqueline were married on November 6th 1966 and decided to start their life together in Little Egg Harbor Township. He opened the Mystic Island Barber Shop in 1967 which he continued to operate until his retirement in 2013. In addition to running his successful business, Dennis quickly made an impact in his new home town by becoming an advocate for progress and development through  political office.  He was a successful two term Mayor that helped positively shape the lives of the town’s residents by championing large civic projects such as the building of Pinelands Regional High School, the senior citizen residential complex on Mathistown Road and securing the purchase of Graveling Point Beach (formerly Mystic Island Beach). He also founded the South Ocean County Jaycees which provided transportation for local senior citizens and partnered with American Legion Post 493 and VFW Post 316 to start the annual Little Egg Harbor Memorial Day parade where he proudly drove the Poppy Princess for many years. Dennis took great satisfaction in playing a part in helping to make his community a great place to live not only for his own family but for all families.

Dennis is survived by his extraordinary wife of 54 years Jacqueline and their 4 sons David, Steven, Russell and Ryan.  He is also survived by his 9 Grandchildren Madelyn, Jonas, Cassidy, Oscar, Luke, Blake, Nola, Charlotte and Josie.   

A service will be held at Wood Funeral Home located on 134 E Main St, Tuckerton, NJ 08087 on  Monday May 24th 2021 from 4-6 PM to celebrate the life of this beloved husband, father and grandfather. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM  Tuesday May 25 2021 at St Theresa Roman Catholic Church 450 Radio Rd., Little Egg Harbor. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Transitions Life Care www.transitionslifecare.org and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org . 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dennis F Ciliento, please visit our floral store.