Obituary of Hugo Dezio Sr.

Hugo Dezio, age 94, of Netcong, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He was born in Netcong in 1932 to John and Josephine (Florenzo) Dezio. He was raised in Netcong and lived in Parsippany for 30 years before returning to Netcong in 1991. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Edmund Dezio, and his sister, Sylvia Cassidy. Hugo was a graduate of Netcong High School and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He was an engineer at Picatinny Arsenal where he retired in 1997 after 40 years of federal service. Previously, he was employed as an engineer at Curtiss-Wright Corporation when he was called to active military duty in 1957. Hugo served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1957 through 1960. He was the navigator and the electronics officer on the destroyer USS Perkins. While on the Perkins, he participated in the nuclear detonation tests at the Enewetak and Bikini Atolls in the Pacific Marshall Islands. Later he was a development project officer at the Naval Ordinance Unit in Key West, FL. He was a member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Hugo enjoyed spending time with his family and working around his home. He loved his grandchildren and attended many of their school activities and other events when they were growing up. His proudest times were seeing them succeed in what they wanted to do. He is survived by his loving wife, Beryl, of 68 years. They met at Bertrand Island Amusement Park, Lake Hopatcong, in the summer of 1953 and have been together ever since. Also surviving him are his devoted children: Donna McGuffy of Byram, Lynn (Jack) Bennett of Hopatcong, and Hugo (Karen) Dezio, Jr. of Netcong; his grandchildren: Jaclyn Bennett and her husband Mike, Casey McGuffy and her husband Dan; and Melissa, Samantha and Bryan Dezio. He is also survived by his brother, John (Virginia) Dezio Jr. of Gladstone and many nieces and nephews. Hugo's Life Celebration will include visiting hours on Friday April 17, 2026 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. A prayer service will be offered at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Hugo will be laid to rest at Stanhope Union Cemetery, Mt. Olive Township, NJ.