Edward E Okolita 92 of Toms River died Sunday December 8, 2019 at Community Medical Center, Toms River. Born in Hartford, CT he was raised in Jersey City by his mother Mary & father Andrew. In 1944, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he earned his American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, & WWII Victory commendations. He then resided in Cliffside Park for 22 years before retiring to Toms River 21 years ago. He worked for Colgate-Palmolive in Jersey City as an engineering machinist for 40 years before retiring in 1986. He was a lifelong member of VFW Post #277, member of the Lake Ridge Billiards Club & Men’s Club. He was very athletic & enjoyed swimming. He is predeceased by his granddaughter, Kaitlyn Okolita, his brother Walter Okolita & sister Bernice Bartkus. Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Sylvia, son, Joseph Okolita & his wife Sandra, grandson Ryan Okolita, nephew Victor Bartkus & wife Patty, nieces Marilyn Wahl & husband Michael, Joanne Becker & husband Paul, Pamela Caucino & husband Jack, Barbara Koumbis & husband Jack. Visitation is Thursday from 3-7 PM at Oliverie Funeral Home 2925 Ridgeway Rd Manchester. Funeral Liturgy is Friday 9:15 AM at St Luke’s Church, Toms River with interment to follow at Brigadier Gen Wm C Doyle NJ Veteran’s Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers please make donations benefiting children’s brain cancer research through the Kaitlyn Rose Okolita Memorial Foundation 22 Farview Ave Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927.