Richard G. Ambrose

Richard G. Ambrose, age 65, of Bridgewater, passed away July 7, 2021. Rich was the beloved husband of Sharon Anuario-Ambrose, and loving father of Kristen Anuario-Ambrose. Devoted son of Antoinette (Caltavituro) and the late Nicholas Ambrose (2017), he is also survived by his sister, Karen Ambrose, brother Michael Ambrose (Lenore), and sister Lisa Potter (Glen). He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A parishioner of St. Bernard’s RC Church in Bridgewater, he had been Senior Vice President and Practice Leader, Employee Benefits at Meeker, Sharkey & Hurley Insurance in Cranford and Bedminster. He had a special love for all of the coworkers that worked with him. An avid NY Yankee fan, and proud American, Rich was also a dedicated family man, a protector of his family, and was so happy to be a father.

Rich was also a well-known sportsman in New Jersey. In high school, he was the central figure in the undefeated swim team, F.A.N., whose epic athletic contests with their famous counterparts B.E.N., are still shown to many athletic groups today, as examples to follow. Rich also coached and played in the Hawthorne Men’s Softball League, where he is still remembered as one of its all-time premier second basemen. He played on the Wizards Softball team in the Ridgewood Men’s softball league, and was selected to travel with the Wizards to travel to Puerto Rico in 1981 and 1982 to play various championship teams there, including the Island Champs, the Bacardi Rum team in Comerio. Not limited to softball, Rich was involved in many key games in the Goffle Brook Men’s Football League. He was known for his hard hitting style, and agile field running while he starred for the SCC Cowpokers, who won the League Championship twice in the early to mid-seventies.

Off of the sports field, Rich was President of RGA Music, Film, and Theater. He was widely known for his perfectly produced films. Among his more notable accomplishments was directing and producing the underworld related films “A New Jersey Tale”, and “American Mafia”. He also directed and produced “Boys of Softball”, and RGA Wide World of Sports”. Many would recognize his co-starring in several short films with his daughter, Kristen Anuario-Ambrose.

Rich’s last professional post was as Ambassador and Fleet Manager at Feeney Funeral Home, Ridgewood. There, he organized the part time casket bearers, and visitation staff into a well-oiled machine. By his third staff meeting, the staff would swap stories at what did not go so well at other funeral firms, but went well at Feeney’s. Most staffers attributed this to Rich’s soft, but firm guidance. In fact, with this expertise and his film-making acumen, he created a training video for funeral home staff that has become a standard for the industry. He has been missed terribly by the staff at Feeney’s since he became ill in the fall.

Someone once said that when Rich Ambrose entered a crowded room, it may not have ‘lit up’; but by the time he left, he was leaving so many new friends that the room lost most of its glow.

Funeral Mass will be Monday 11:15 am at St. Rose of Lima RC Church, 312 Ridgedale Avenue, with entombment to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, both in East Hanover. Visiting Sunday 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Ave, Ridgewood.

Donations to Glioblastoma Research/A Cure Can’t Wait
https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/ would be appreciated.