Memorial Mass is Monday at Sacred Heart Church
Lillian Zuza, who was Manville’s mayor from 2008 to the end of 2011, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. Details on the circumstances weren’t immediately known.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 So. Main St., Manville.
Viewings are scheduled for 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday. On Monday, visitation will be from 8-8:30 a.m., with a prayer service at 8:30. A Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Manville will be at 9 a.m.
Mayor Zuza, 56, was honored as an “outstanding woman” in Somerset County in 2011 by the county Commission on the Status of Women. This June, she received a “Spirit of Somerset” award for her work in government.
A Republican, she defeated four-term mayor Angelo Corradino in 2007, then lost a primary re-election bid for renomination in June 2011. Mr. Corradino retook the mayor’s post with an electoral victory in the fall.
In her term, she facilitated a regional attempt to look at chronic flooding issues that resulted in the formation of the Raritan & Millstone River Flood Control Commission with seven adjacent towns. The body formed this February.
When she was mayor, through a grant from the county freeholders, the Manville Library qualified to receive roof solar panels for future cost savings. In 2010, Manville joined the county health department for shared services as well as county engineering our engineering needs, both to add cost savings.
Her husband, Joseph J. Zuza Sr., of 28 years died in 2005. He was also a former Borough Councilman.
In her farewell words to Borough Council in December, she said, “I moved here with Joe after I met him in college. Let me tell you something. I love Manville more than I love my own hometown in Virginia.”
Here is the obituary as posted by Fucillo and Warren Funeral Home:
Manville, NJ – Former Mayor of Manville, Lillian M. (Williams) Zuza, 56, passed away suddenly on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at Somerset Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Born in Winchester, Virginia, to Ruby (Shelburne) and the late John Williams, she has been a resident of the borough since 1978.
For 18 years, Lillian was employed by the Somerset County Planning Board in Somerville as an office manager. Active with the Manville community, Lillian held various executive positions throughout her life. She was a former Republican campaign chairman, actively involved with the Zoning Board, Public Library Board and was awarded as being the Outstanding Woman of the Year in government. From 2008-2011, Lillian was proud to have served her community as the Mayor of Manville.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville, where she belonged to the Altar Rosary Society, sang in the church choir and taught CCD. Lillian enjoyed being a member of the Thomas J. Kavanaugh Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2290 and the American Legion Post 304 Ladies Auxiliary.
In 1975, Lillian was a pageant winner and earned the title of Miss Winchester. An avid lover of music, Lillian extended her talents and would teach voice and piano lessons. A loving wife and devoted mother, Lillian was a great person who will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph J. Zuza, Sr., who died on October 2, 2005.
Lillian leaves behind her devoted children; Katherine A. Zuza, Joseph J. Zuza, Jr. and Edward J. Zuza, all of Manville; her loving mother, Ruby Williams; her cherished siblings John Williams Jr., Rena Williams and Charles Williams and his wife, Cindy — all of Virginia — and by her dear aunt Martha Williams. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at the Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, Manville, on Sunday, September 16, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and on Monday, September 17, 2012 from 8-8:30 a.m.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 17, 2012 beginning 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a 9:00 a.m. funeral liturgy at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Manville. Lillian will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hillsborough.

