June Rose Coppola Petolino, matriarch of the Petolino family, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2022 in Whiting, New Jersey. June was born on June 13, 1924 to Thomas and Anna Coppola of Newark, New Jersey. June was married to Anthony Petolino for 43 years before his passing in 1994. They lived in North Newark for many years until their retirement in 1978 when they moved to Whiting. Professionally, June and Anthony were known as June and Don Sterling. June was a dancer and Don was a musician. They worked in the entertainment business their whole lives. June began studying at 5 years old and quickly became an accomplished dancer. She was even a Rockette for a short time. While June had her own dance studio prior to meeting Don, after their marriage, June and Don opened a talent center on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark and taught dancing, music, voice, piano and other skills to the thousands of children and adults who passed through their doors. Their expertise influenced an entire generation of students from North Newark and the surrounding areas. It was their kindness, however, that stood out to everyone that knew them. Before his passing, June and Don were always volunteering for causes near and dear to their hearts. The performed monthly for disabled Veterans at two of the VA hospitals in NJ as well as for many other Military organizations. After Don's passing, June continued her work with the American Legion. Always benevolent, the super-talented June was a member of the local "Busy Bees" and "Happy Hookers", two clubs that made quilts, hats and other items for premature and newborn infants. June was an extremely talented crafter that donated many hand-made dolls to charity. Her dolls were admired and coveted by everyone! Never having children of their own, June and Don treated their eleven nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews as their own. June and Don were loved by their family and are greatly missed. June was the last member of her generation. Her passing is truly the end of an era. June was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Petolino, her parents and her brother Thomas Coppola Jr., her nieces Mildred Petolino Ceceri and Kathy Zoppi and nephews Larry Freaso and Frank Petolino. It is our wish that she is happily reunited with those that have passed before her and that she is looking down on her family with the same love she always showed us during her long and wonderful life. We miss you Aunt June! There will be a memorial service for June at the Manchester Funeral Home, 28 Schoolhouse Rd, Whiting on Saturday, July 30 th between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. June's faith was her rock. She attended church weekly most of her life. Her church was very important to her. We are setting up a scholarship fund at June's church in her memory. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Community Reformed Church, 36 Lacey Road, Whiting, NJ 08759. Please note "In Memory of June Petolino" and your donation will go to the scholarship fund. Previous Events Memorial Service JUL 30. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (ET) Manchester Memorial Funeral Home 28 Schoolhouse Rd Whiting, NJ 08759 manchestermemorial@comcast.net https://www.manchestermemorialfh.com/ Loading map