Rick Liss

In the early evening hours of July 18, 2025, Rick took his last breath with his loved ones by his side. Rick was so full of life, so full of energy, it was difficult to believe he had been battling cancer for the past three years. He was born on June 9, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Jersey City, Fanwood and Scotch Plains, graduating SPHS in 1973. He attended the University of North Carolina, Pembroke on a full wrestling scholarship, studied Physical Education, and earned his B.S. He later earned his Library Science Degree and was a Certified Nutritionist. Rick was always interested in health, exercise, and was an active, energetic man who loved jogging, hiking, swimming, wrestling, baseball, football, bird watching, gardening, the shore, his dogs, antiques, art, family, and friends. Rick always had a smile on his face and was full of mischief. He had a knack for making everyone around him feel special, loved and cherished.

Rick was a wonderful man who was always grateful for his life and would often say he had a "fantastic life," with many, many accompanied colorful stories. During his college summers, Rick worked stage crew at Roosevelt Stadium, and Convention Hall in Asbury Park for various concerts, including Grateful Dead, Lynard Skynard, Pink Floyd. He worked at EJSP for over 34 years as a teacher and later the law library and recreation. Rick knew everyone and it seemed everyone knew him; always personable, with a gift of easygoing style that put all at ease.

Rick and his wife, Rosanne, met on a beautiful day in October 2017 and shared and built a life together that both are grateful for. Their loving bond began day one, as Rick would often say: "I fell in love with you the moment I saw you." Rick's happiness and his devotion to Rosanne, his family, his friends, and dogs was unwavering. It is this love and his devotion that will carry on his memory in the hearts of those he leaves behind. Rick is survived by his adoring wife, Rosanne; his mother, Clara; his loving and devoted siblings, Joseph and his wife Ellie, Benjamin, Vikki and her husband Tim, Jon and his wife Halka, Ken and his wife Gina and sister in law Sharon; his nieces, Andrea (Joe), Rianna (Craig), Jackie, Jennifer (Jason ), Jesse, Delfina, AJ (Mason), Kirsten (Nick) and Katie (Alex); his nephews, Joshua ( Kenzie), Lawrence, Alexander and Julian, his step-children, Bethany (Cam) and Sean, great nieces, great nephews, dear cousins, his Aunt Marilyn and Aunt Patty, his beloved dogs, Hank, Mo, Lulu and Zeke.

Rick is pre-deceased by his father Lawrence, his nephew Danny, his brother-in-law Brett and beloved dog Appa. Their reunion, we are sure, is filled with laughter, shared memories, and the same warmth that Rick brought to our lives.

We invite you to join us for Rick's services to be held Saturday July 26, 2025 from 3-6PM. Services held at Marotti-Burns Funeral Home, 1022 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ. We also invite you to share your memories of Rick and upload photos to his memorial page. His life was full of love and dedication, and every memory shared keeps this memory vibrant and alive. May his memory be a blessing.