Obituary of Barbara LaRaia

Barbara LaRaia (nee: Roylance), age 89, of Brick NJ, formerly of Englewood Cliffs, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday September 22, 2022, while surrounded by members of her family. She was born in New York City and raised in Hudson County. She married the love of her life, John LaRaia Sr. in 1956 and eventually relocated to Englewood Cliffs where she dedicated her life to raising her beloved seven children. Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As a devote Catholic, she was a parishioner of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Fort Lee. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Rosary Society and the Senior Citizen’s of Englewood Cliffs. Beloved Barbara will be remembered as being soft but strong. She never hesitated to open her home and welcome loved ones with open arms. From traveling and cruises with family and friends, to spending time down the shore and bus trips to Atlantic City, she was so vibrant and full of life. The stories she shared, the memories that were made and the millions of pictures she saved will be passed on for generations and live on forever.

Barbara leaves behind her beloved husband of 66 years, retired Englewood Cliffs Police Captain John LaRaia Sr. Barbara was the loving sister of the late Edward Roylance, Joan Robinson, Veronica Longo and Patricia Ferrara. Devoted mother of son John LaRaia and his wife Patricia; son William LaRaia and his wife Lisa; son Michael LaRaia and his significant other Viviana Pardo; daughter Janet Puleo and her husband David; son Richard LaRaia and his wife Christina; daughter Judy Stefans and her husband Daniel; and daughter Jean Regan and her husband Timothy.  Cherished grandmother of Renee LaRaia, Mishelle Whiting and husband Andrew, Jason LaRaia, Roxanne LaRaia, William LaRaia, Michael LaRaia and his wife Mikela, Ali LaRaia and her wife Alix Brewster, Grace Rescigno and her husband Peter, DJ Puleo, Lucas Puleo, Jake Puleo, Isabel LaRaia, Clark LaRaia, Bryan Stefans, Dylan Stefans, Jessica Roschel and her husband Christian, Timothy Regan Jr, and Nicholas Regan. Great-Grandmother to Samantha Peterson; Emmitt, Quinton, AJ, Tierney, Deirdre and Mairead Whiting; Marli and Madi LaRaia. 

The family will receive their friends on Sunday September 25, 2022 from 3pm-7pm at the Frank A. Patti Funeral Home 327 Main Street (opposite the Fort Lee Library) in Fort Lee. All are asked to assemble Monday September 26, 2022 for the celebration of her funeral mass at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church 2367 Lemoine Avenue in Fort Lee at 1030am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org). For directions or information call (201)944-0100 or www.frankpatti.com