John Nicholas Tarantino, 88, died February 26, 2020 at his home in Stirling, NJ. He was born on March 1, 1931 in Paterson, New Jersey, to Nicholas and Elvira (Nazzaro) Tarantino. John attended Passaic Valley High School, The Juilliard School of Music, enlisted in the United States Army and joined the West Point Military Band, followed by earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and doctoral studies at Montclair State University. He married Halina Mroz, of Orange and Maplewood, NJ, on April 18, 1959.
He was a music educator with the West Orange Public Schools for 35 years, and a professional freelance trumpet player throughout the tri-state area. He served as president of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 16.

Surviving in addition to his loving wife of 60 years, Halina, is sister Dolores (Tarantino) Scerbo and her husband Ezio; son Christopher John Tarantino and daughter-in-law Mindy (Scheierman); son Eric John Tarantino; daughter Alyssa Lee (Tarantino) Dominique and son-in-law Robert; three granddaughters, Ines, Gianna and Maeve, one grandson Marc, nieces, nephews, and countless students whose lives he touched through music.


A memorial service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on March 7, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Shrine in Stirling.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Valley Memorial in Gillette, NJ