Obituary of Anthony J. Jannetti

Anthony Joseph Jannetti, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024, at the age of 87, with his loving family by his side. Anthony, known affectionately as Dad, Poppy, and Tony to his family and friends, leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, joy, integrity, compassion, and service. Anthony is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Eleanor (nee Burkhardt); three daughters and three sons-in-law: Karen Jannetti Hester and David, Kristine Jannetti Hilbert and Steve, and Heidi Jannetti Wenzke and Paul; nine grandchildren: Griffin (Marianna), Mitchell (his fiancé, Casey), and Connor Hester; Kendall (Louis) Wenzke Dignam, Makayla, and Dylan Wenzke; Christian, Samantha (Charlie) Thomas, and Stevie Hilbert. He is also survived by his siblings, many nieces and nephews, and numerous in-laws. He is predeceased by his first grandson, Matthew Hester. Born in Philadelphia on February 24, 1937, to Vincent and Carmela Jannetti, Anthony is a 1955 graduate of Gloucester City High School, Gloucester City, New Jersey, where he met his forever sweetheart, Eleanor; he was later inducted into their Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Upon graduation, Anthony joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Tierra Amarilla and Albuquerque, New Mexico. While enlisted, he participated in Operation Bootstrap through the Air Force and the University of New Mexico. His time in New Mexico over the span of four years ignited in him a desire to explore the rich tapestry of the Southwest and its native cultures. Upon his return from the service, Anthony and Eleanor lovingly exchanged vows, sealing their union in marriage on December 5, 1959, at Saint Maurice Church in Brooklawn, New Jersey. Anthony began his career in sales and customer service at General Tire, and by a twist of fate, joined Slack, Inc., a firm specializing in association management. After their wedding, Anthony and Eleanor established their first home in Brooklawn, New Jersey, on Pershing Road, and within the first year, they started their family. After the arrival of their second daughter, Anthony and Eleanor moved to Pitman, New Jersey, settling on Kenton Avenue. In 1966, their family was complete with the arrival of their third daughter. In 1971, Anthony and Eleanor began their entrepreneurial venture, and Anthony J. Jannetti and Associates was born, and in short order, became Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., in Pitman, New Jersey. Over 50 years later, the company is still thriving and remains dedicated to serving the community and the nursing profession. He has been lauded throughout the nursing, convention, and association management industries as a visionary, and he was acclaimed for his leadership. Countless nursing organizations have benefitted from his foresight, and in return, awarded him with lifetime memberships. Anthony was truly a nursing icon. Among his numerous leadership roles, he served as President of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and President of the PCMA Education Foundation. Anthony was a generous philanthropist, and contributed scholarships and professional development opportunities to various nursing organizations. He also started his own foundation for the education of graduate nurses. When the Pennsylvania Convention Center was built in Philadelphia in the early 1990s, he served on the Users Committee to help with the design of the structure. Anthony served as a Chairman of the Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association, and he was a member of the Banner Health Foundation Board in Phoenix, Arizona. Locally, he was active in the Kiwanis Club and The Y's Men's Club, and served on the Board of Directors at Parke Bank since its inception. Anthony was an avid golfer. He had the pleasure of playing renowned courses throughout the world, including his favorite, The Boulders, where he hosted the Linguine Invitational for over 20 years. His was also an active investment enthusiast, a passionate and creative cook, a wine connoisseur, and a travel aficionado. A lifelong Eagles fan, he loved watching Philadelphia sports teams and was elated when the Eagles won the Super Bowl. He also enjoyed college football, especially the Penn State Nittany Lions. He held a deep affection for his adopted state of New Jersey, finding joy in the "tranquil" moments spent at his shore home. Anthony delighted in preparing lavish family meals, drawing inspiration from the bounty of fresh Jersey produce. Among the fondest memories shared with his grandchildren are the cherished times spent together crafting homemade meatballs, a tradition they will forever treasure. Above all else, Anthony was a family man. His greatest joy was spending time with Eleanor, and watching his grandchildren grow. He was proud of his grandchildren's achievements, encouraging and supporting their academic endeavors. Anthony was the epitome of the original "girl dad." There are such wonderful memories of family times, including road trips with a touch of history. He enjoyed spoiling the women in his life, always returning from business trips with little treasures. He passed on his love of cooking and travel to his girls, and always encouraged his daughters to pursue their own passions. His lifelong devotion to Eleanor spanned over 7 decades, setting an example for future generations. They were truly partners in life: raising a family, starting a business, and providing a sense of faith, togetherness, and love. Friends and Family may greet the family from 830AM to 1015AM on Saturday, March 23, 2024 in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave. Pitman, NJ. A funeral mass will follow at 1030AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 161 Pitman Ave. Pitman, NJ. We will always miss his presence, and his shoes will never be filled. Let us cherish our memories of him and keep his spirit alive in our hearts. To honor Anthony, we suggest a donation to: • National Museum of the United States Air Force: https://afmuseum.com/givenow • Gloucester County Emergency Medical Service: Checks made payable to same. Send to: 1200 North Delsea Drive, Bldg. A, Clayton, NJ 08312 • AMVets: https://www.amvets.org/support • Charity of your choice