Obituary of George J. Scardena

George J. Scardena, 87, of Toms River, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2016. George was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 6, 1928 to Joseph and Eugenia Scardena. In 1946, he graduated from Irvington High School, wherein he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving 21 months in the US and Puerto Rico. George graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in Elementary Education and received a Masters in Supervision and Administration from Newark State College. He began his career in Union NJ, teaching for four years where he met and married Phyllis E. Turtur of Linden. Thereafter, they moved to Toms River where he taught 2nd to 6th grade. He then took the job as Principal at Point Pleasant Boro Middle School and later became Director of Buildings and Grounds for the school district, where he was employed for 24 years before retiring in 1993. Where ever there was a need, George was there to help. He passionately served on the Dover Township Drug & Alcohol Advisory Committee and the Township Recreation Advisory Committee. He later sat on the Board of Directors for the Toms River YMCA and served as Board President for 3 years. In 1975, he founded the Twin Oaks Homeowners Assoc. and was president for 7 years. He was an active member in the NJEA, the TREA, and the NJASA. He also taught as an adjunct instructor for the Center for Government Services at Rutgers University. He became a volunteer for the local Hospice program upon his retirement. Always having a green thumb, George was certified as a Master Gardener in 1993 from the Ocean County Agricultural Center (through Rutgers University). In 1997, George followed his heart to Americus, GA for Habitat for Humanity and aided in the construction of a home. Upon his return, he devoted himself to founding the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, serving as its first chairman and successfully opening their thrift store, serving as its manager for the first 3 years. He was a proud member of the Sierra Club, NJ Audubon Society, National Geographic Society, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, and the Italian-American Cultural Society of Ocean County. He enjoyed live theatre, reading, gardening and cooking. As a parishioner at St. Justin's Church, he was a mass coordinator, lector, Eucharistic minister and usher, as well as a buildings and grounds consultant. George was a devoted husband to his wife of 48 years, Phyllis, and loving father to 4 children: Matthew of Belmar, NJ, Mary Lynn Sheppard of Charleston, SC, Andrea Babcock of St. Petersburg, FL, and Debra Chrobocinski of Toms River. George has 4 beautiful grandchildren, Morgan, Claire, Ethan, and Aidan. George has one brother, Joseph, in Livingston, NJ. "Uncle George" is also survived by many other loving and caring family members and friends. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, Feb 13 at Saint Catherine's Church in Spring Lake, NJ at 9am. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date (TBA). Condolences may be sent by visiting www.kedzfuneralhome.com.