Obituary of Dean Battaglia

Edison - Dean Battaglia, 53, tragically died on Wednesday, June 15th, 2022 in South Brunswick, NJ.

Born in Edison, Dean was a long-time resident of Edison, raised his children in Pennsylvania, and recently resided in South Brunswick.

Dean was a beloved member of the South Brunswick School District where he worked in the Building and Grounds Dept.  He enjoyed getting his “fields ready” and making the middle school grounds look perfect for the staff and students.  Dean also drove a bus for various middle school and high school sports teams where he was often requested by the coaches to “fire up” the teams with his famous pep talks.  In addition, he also drove the bus for the elementary school students at various South Brunswick schools.  He was called the “cool bus driver” or “Mr. Dean” by the kids because he would have sing-a-longs with them, make crafts and host holiday parties on the bus.  He was so loved by the children who looked forward to seeing him every day.

One of Dean’s passions was the love of sports throughout his life.  In his younger years, he played pop warner football for the Falcons, basketball for the YBA and baseball for Midtown Little League where he was always coached by his father Fred.  He often boasted and took great pride in his senior Tiger team that went undefeated 21-0.   He made many lifelong friendships while playing at Midtown, a true testament to his character.  He also played highschool soccer and baseball for the  Edison Eagles. He was an all star,  a gifted athlete, and a fierce competitor.  The pitcher’s mound and center field were his second home. Dean spent many summers with his sisters and nieces in Wildwood eating Max’s $1.00 pizza, fries with vinegar, boogie boarding and going on every ride. He was a big kid at heart.  He loved the holidays, spending time with family and friends was important to him. He adored  Halloween and Christmas where he would get dressed up, decorate to the max, and bake his famous “cheesecakes” and chocolate cookies.  Dean, a dedicated Pittsburgh Steelers fan,  attended many games with his family and friends getting all decked out in “black and gold baby.”  He was always wearing gold and black. Dean had a great sense of humor and always found a way to make you laugh. He loved his family, friends, and three yellow labs. 

  As an adult, Dean resided in Pennsylvania, where he coached little league baseball teams and football teams pee-wee through senior divisions for Payal which his son was a part of.  Dean was committed to the school and sports programs at Delaware Valley High School where his son played lacrosse and football and his daughter played field hockey and lacrosse.  As a proud father of a son and daughter who followed in his athletic footsteps, Dean attended his children’s sporting events and cheered them on with much enthusiasm.  

Dean’s son Ryan, is continuing his athletic career while attending Bloomsburg University in the fall.  Ryan will be playing football for Bloomsburg and pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.  Dean’s daughter Alexandra is playing lacrosse for Delaware Valley High School and is enrolled in the CTE program there with an interest in early childhood education.

Dean’s other interests included playing on a senior tournament softball team while also playing in multiple recreational softball leagues in NJ.  He was known as the “king of the eye black” because he wore eye black under his eyes for every game.  He also loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycles, which he kept in immaculate condition.  

Dean owned a landscaping company and had been doing lawns and landscapes since he was a teenager.  He took pride in all his work and made every effort to have each lawn perfect.

Predeceased by his parents, Fred and Gerri Battaglia, surviving are his two children Ryan and Alex Battaglia and their mother Danielle Paciullo of Pennsylvania, fiancee Doreen Carbone and her three children Alexandra, Danielle and Elisabeth Dixon, sisters Sherrie Lubonski and husband Mark and Kelly Guno and husband Lou as well as his beloved nieces Cassie, Kayla, Alexa, Kara and Isabella.