Harry Dellane, a Toms River police captain who retired in 1992, died on Tuesday while vacationing with is wife.
TOMS RIVER -- Harry J. Dellane, a retired Toms River police captain, died on Tuesday.
Dellane, who retired in 1992 after 29 years on the Toms River police force, died while on vacation with his wife, Barbara, according to a statement from the Toms River Police Department. Dellane suffered a massive heart attack, his son, Thomas, said.
He was 78.
"He was a great father and a friend to so many people," Thomas Dellane, police chief in Stafford Township, said. "He was at his happiest when his home was filled with relatives."
Born in Newark, Harry Dellane grew up in Belleville before he moved to Toms River, where he lived for 51 years.
Dellane served in the U.S. Air Force with assignments in Japan and Bangor, Maine. He would become the first officer with a K-9 dog in Dover Township, which is now part of Toms River.
Dellane taught classes at county colleges in Ocean and Burlington counties. He earned degrees from Ocean County College, Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) and Rider University.
"Harry was a one of a kind man with a marvelous sense of humor," the Toms River police statement said. "He was a wonderful husband and an endearing family patriarch whose larger-than-life personality provided us with stories, memories and laughter to cherish for years to come."
Dellane's devotion to public service would eventually spread to three of his sons, who became police officers. Thomas is the chief of the Stafford Township Police Department, Jimmy is a retired Manchester police sergeant and Patrick is a lieutenant in Toms River.
Thomas Dellane said his dad was a "wonderful" man who inspired him to become a police officer.
"He was my role model and mentor," he said. "I owe everything I am today to him."
Harry Dellane is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Rita, and his grandson, Michael Lumpkins. Dellane leaves behind his wife, Barbara; sons, Thomas, Harry, Jimmy and Patrick; daughter, Debbie; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and his cousin, Arlene Whyte.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Road in Toms River. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 685 Hooper Avenue in Toms River.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.