Natale Joseph Tonelli, 84 of Millville, NJ passed into eternal life peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on February 16, 2025. He was born in Pontremoli, Italy in 1940 to Amelio and Yolanda Tonelli. His family emigrated to the United States when he was 7 years old, and eventually settled in Bronx, New York, where he met his wife Linda.  They married in 1962 and started their family.  Their oldest daughter, Laura, was born in Bronx, New York, before they relocated to New Jersey, and had their daughter Donna and son John.

Natale attended school in Manhattan, and eventually graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in Bronx, New York.  He attended trade school and became an electrician.  His first job was with Saddle Brook Electric until he joined Local 164 of the IBEW.  He remained a member of Local 164 until he retired.  

The family purchased a summer home on the water in Tuckerton, New Jersey, and this is where Natale’s love of fishing began.  The family eventually relocated to Tuckerton and spent many years enjoying the salt air and their love of fishing, crabbing and clamming.  They also loved entertaining, having their friends and family join them to enjoy the shore life.  They eventually relocated to Millville, New Jersey.

Natale was preceded in death by his parents, Amelio and Yolanda Tonelli, his brother William, his sister Maria, and his grandson Luke.  He is survived by his wife Linda, and children Laura and husband Dave, Donna and husband Bob, and John and wife Lisa, and his grandchildren Denise and husband Geoffrey, David and wife Katherine, Christopher, Jason, Sandra, Andrew, and Julia, and his great grandchildren McKinley and Edmond.

His hobbies were boating, fishing, clamming, crabbing, bowling, horseshoes, and jigsaw puzzles.  He loved to play games with his family, especially “May I”, and could not resist telling fish jokes and dad jokes.  He was universally loved by his friends and family.

The viewing will be held on Sunday, February 23rd from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the Christy Funeral Home, 11 W. Broad Street, Millville, NJ 08332. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, February 24th, at 10:00 AM, in the Parish of All Saints, Buck & Depot Streets, Millville, NJ 08332. The interment will be held following the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 224 Westminster Place, Saddle Brook, NJ, 07663 at approximately 2:00 PM.  Memories of Natale and condolences to his family may be shared on his tribute wall.

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