Longtime Scotch Plains Man Had Vibrant Personality

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A lifelong resident of Westfield and Scotch Plains, Sal S. Vella, 64, died on Wednesday, June 6 with his daughters by his side.

Vella graduated from Westfield High School in 1973. He was a hardworking man who worked for more than 40 years in the disposal business.

He was a devoted family man who enjoyed tinkering in his garden, playing softball for many years with the Sacks Pac, bowling, hanging out at ShopRite, and striking up conversation with just about anyone he would meet. He loved cooking Sunday dinners for his family. His vibrant and boisterous personality lit up any room he entered, according to his obituary by Dooley Colonial Funeral Home.

Vella is survived by his three beloved daughters, Shanna Dooley and her husband Michael, Brittany, and Alexa; his loving siblings, brother Rick Vella, his nephews Ryan and son Tyler; twin sister Lorraine Zeiss and husband Bob, sister Maryann Leporino and husband Vinny; his nieces Courtney Michaels and husband Matt and daughter Olivia, and Jordan; his fiancé Lisa Vuono and her children Louis, Luke and Leanna, and his many friends.

He was predeceased by his nephew Richard D’Amico and his parents.

Services for Vella will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, 2032 Westfield Ave., Scotch Plains.

In lieu of flowers his family requests donations to patient assistance in the Bone Marrow Transplant division at Hackensack UMC in memory of Sal Vella. Donations may be made payable to: Hackensack UMC Foundation, with “In memory of Sal Vella” in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to: Hackensack UMC Foundation, Attn. Nancy Kennedy, 160 Essex St., Suite 101, Lodi, NJ 07644.

(Image via Dooley Colonial Funeral Home: Sal S. Vella, 64, of Scotch Plains)

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