CLETUS GARNER

November 25, 1957 - December 16, 2012

Cletus A. Garner, 55, of Hillburn, NY, recently of West Milford, NJ, passed away after a brief illness on Sunday, December 16, 2012.  Cletus was born in Greensboro, NC to Vivian (nee Simpson) and James Garner.Cletus graduated from the Culinary Institute and began his catering career in Manhattan which spanned more than twenty years.  In the last four years Cletus, together with his business partner Tony, operated the Passport Café in West Milford, NJ.  He will be sorely missed by many of his friends and patrons of the restaurant, as well as his friends from the YumYum Club, Bassett Hall, and his special ladies of the West Milford Newcomers Club.   He will best be remembered for his infectious laugh and radiant smile, his passion for food, as well as eating it, his love of traveling, especially cruise ships, and his love of exotic cars, including his champagne color Porsche.  Cletus was predeceased by his father James Garner, his sister Gloria in 2012, his brother James and his nephew Donte.  He is survived by his mother Vivian Garner of NC, his sisters Jackie, Sheila, and Wanda; his brothers Rico, Carl, Michael, and Shelby; his nieces Aisha and Johneen of NC, his nephews Adrian, Austin, John,  Shelby Jr, and Trequan, his great nephews Zikese, LaQuinta, and Jayquise (Moo-Shoo) of NC.  Visitors will be received on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 from 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 10pm at the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 LaRue Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435 (For GPS use 1 Post Place, Newfoundland, NJ 07435).   A funeral  mass will take place on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 12:30pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Church, 1911 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480   Final disposition will be private.   On line directions and condolences:   www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com   Memorial donations may be made in his name to: West Milford Rotary, c/o Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 LaRue Road, PO Box 287, Newfoundland, NJ 07435.  All donations will be put toward the West Milford Rotary Scholarship Fund.