Vernon A Barbagallo, 85, of Swedesboro passed away Monday, September 2, 2019 at his home. He is survived by his loving wife, Alfina (nee Caltabiano); his children, Stephanie Barbagallo, Maria Smigel (John), Joyce Barbagallo and Salvatore Barbagallo (Cheryl); two grandchildren, Erin and Rosario; sisters, Angeline Russo and Alfina Mann; Vernon was born to Salvatore and Agatha Barbagallo in a house just a short distance from his current home of 64 years. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Gangemi and brother John Barbagallo.

For many years, Vernon was part of the Swedesboro / Woolwich Township farming community. In addition, in 1959, he took a second job with Anchor Motor Freight in Wilmington, DE, transporting & delivering new GM cars. During his 37 years there, he had an outstanding safety record, driving 3 million miles along the eastern USA with no chargeable accidents. He participated in and won many truck rodeos, winning driver of the year in 1990 for the NATA.

In the mid-1970’s, he served Woolwich Township as Building Inspector. Subsequently, he was on the Planning Board and Township Committee, where he formed a lifelong friendship with then Mayor, Albert Stecher. Also in those years, he started a Christmas tree farm. All his children and many nephews learned the value of discipline & hard work as his perfectly shaped trees were cared for through the year and sold at Christmas time. In his retirement years, he maintained the truck fleet at SPS Mechanical; fulfilled a long-deferred dream of owning a motorcycle; traveled to Australia and Italy with his wife and experienced the joy of being a grandfather.

Family and Friends are invited to visit from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at Smith Funeral Home, 47 Main Street, Mantua, NJ 08051 and Monday, September 9, 2019 from 9:45 am to 10:45 am at St. Clare Of the Assisi Parish at St. Joseph's Church, 140 Broad Street, Swedesboro, NJ 08085. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 9, 2019 at St. Clare Of the Assisi Parish at St. Joseph's, with burial to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Woolwich Twp., NJ 08085. Donations can be made to the St. Alfio Society of Swedesboro c/o Pete Patane, 351 Croce Ave, Gibbstown, NJ 08027.