Ret. Howell Township Police Chief Gary Priccaciante, 64, of Womelsdorf, Pa., and formerly of Howell, died Oct. 10, 2009, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He began his law enforcement career in 1968 with the Matawan Borough Police Department, transferring to the Howell Township Police Department in 1971. He ascended through the ranks, achieving the rank of police chief in 1989. During his career, Mr. Priccaciante was assigned to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, working undercover to prosecute and convict drug offenders throughout Monmouth County. After becoming chief of police, he went on to head up the Narcotics Strike Force for the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police Association. His most notable achievement at the Howell Township Police Department was forming its Detective Division and organizing the relocation of headquarters to its location on Old Tavern Road. He retired in 1993. Mr. Priccaciante was also a body builder, winning the title Mr. New Jersey in 1979, along with many others. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Carole; three daughters, Lisa and Tina Priccaciante of Old Bridge and Lynn Priccaciante of Matawan; two stepdaughters, Sharon Carroll, and her husband, Jim, of Jersey City and Gail Hall of Howell; three brothers, Peter Priccaciante of Daytona, Fla., Louis Priccaciante of Jackson and Robert Priccaciante of South Amboy; two sisters, Mary Smith of Middletown and Jenny Herrmann of Monroe Township; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Veronica’s Catholic Church, Howell, followed by cremation. Memorial donations may be made to the Howell Township P.B.A Local 228, P.O. Box 580, Howell, NJ 07731 Attn: Guy Arancio. Arrangements were by the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township.
