Warren Thomas Tilton

Warren Thomas Tilton, 98, of Lavallette, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by loving family and friends, on October 18th, 2023. Warren was born and raised in Lavallette and graduated from Lavallette Elementary School and Point Pleasant Beach High School. On the very 1st day of Point Pleasant Beach High School, he met the true love of his life, Garnet Clayton. On that day, he carried Garnet's books home from school and they remained inseparable from that day on. After high school and Warren's 2-year World War II service with the US Navy as a Bosun's Mate in the Admiralty Islands in the South Pacific, they married and moved to Warren's home town of Lavallette. There, they built a home, lived happily, remained totally devoted to each other, and jointly operated an electrical contracting business. Warren maintained his electrical business and was a duly licensed NJ Electrical Contractor thru 2021.

Warren learned the value of hard work from a very early age. His father, Grover, was a very well-known Captain at the Chadwick Beach (NJ) Ocean Pound Fishery in the 1930's and also was a commercial Bayman in Barnegat Bay for fish and clams in the areas of Lavallette and Beach Haven. Many days, prior to his attending school, Warren would help his father tend to his fishing nets.

As such, Warren had, throughout his life, a well-earned reputation as an incredible worker. He absolutely loved being an electrician and looked forward to going to work every day. He was a legend, with both his clients and fellow tradesmen, for his extremely high energy work ethic and the high quality of his electric work. Most of his clients became good friends and he remembered each and every one of them. Even into his late 80's, he was almost impossible to keep up with. He wired many of the original houses in the Lavallette Barrier Island area. He routinely amazed his clients by testing an electric service to see if it had electric current, not with an electric tester, but with his bare fingers. He delighted in doing so.

He was an extraordinary man with many and varied interests. He never met a dog that he didn't love. His card playing prowess was well known, especially at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City where he routinely showed off his great card skills at Texas Hold-Em poker. He very much enjoyed Thoroughbred horse racing throughout his life and partnered with a good friend to own and successfully race their thoroughbred horses up and down the East Coast. Although he never picked up a tennis racket in his life, he absolutely loved watching tennis on TV and watched it anytime it was on.

He often said that his greatest blessing, second only to meeting and marrying his beloved Garnet, was being born, raised, and living his entire life in Lavallette at the Jersey Shore. He had many opportunities to travel and vacation throughout his life, but rarely took them. To Warren, why would you want to go anywhere else when you lived in Lavallette? He truly thought that it was Heaven on Earth.

He was predeceased by: his cherished wife, Garnet Louise Tilton; his beloved daughter-in-law, Victoria P. Tilton, who was pregnant with his unborn grandson at the time of her death; his beloved parents, Grover & Christina Tilton; his beloved sister & brother-in-law, Miriam & Ralph Anteau; and his beloved in-laws, Ross and Mary Elizabeth Clayton.

He is survived by: his son, Kirk; his beloved grand-dog, Katie; his niece and her husband, Sheila Anteau Sharkey and Gregory Sharkey; his nephew, Stephen Anteau; Victoria's beloved brother Giovanni V. Peragine and his wife, Melissa; his nephew Michael Burge and his wife, Julie; his trusted friend and protege, Chris Brice; and many other nephews, nieces, and cousins; and a lifetime of wonderful friends, both young and old.

Warren lost his true love Garnet, on 4/28/12. Very shortly thereafter, he survived Superstorm Sandy, staying in Lavallette during the storm and its aftermath. Despite the loss of his soulmate and best friend, he courageously and successfully went on with his life. He is now reunited with his dear Garnet, his beloved Vicky and his grandson, and all of the rest of his deceased family and friends. He was a truly amazing and charming man who possessed & showered his family and friends with unending love, kindness, loyalty, and generosity. He will be endlessly and greatly missed by all of us who remain.

His family would like to thank his health aides who provided Warren (and his family) with extraordinary care, compassion, and love during his last illness.

Warren intensely disliked formal viewings, funerals, and memorials. As such, at his specific direction, there will be no public viewing or funeral. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, may be made, in Warren's memory, to the local animal shelter of donor's choice.

Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 706 Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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