Vero Ajello, 93, of Haddonfield, died on July 24, Kain-Murphy Funeral Services announced this week.
Ajello was a nationally and internationally ranked tennis player and a long-time resident of Haddonfield.
He graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark. Following his graduation from Upsala University in 1940, he attended law school at New York University. World War II interfered and he entered the Army Air Force in 1941, just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served his country in India, part of the China/Burma/India Theater, where he specialized in photo analysis.
He noted that he had sailed all the way around the world, courtesy of the U.S. government. Mr. Ajello received many awards and ribbons during his service.
He was an engineering consultant for The Yarway Corporation. After retirement, his love of education led him to become a high school substitute teacher. And his love of travel meshed with his love of tennis.
In his retirement he was able to travel the world with his tennis racket. He held many national and international titles and had both national and international rankings. He continued playing tennis actively, most recently entering tournaments in the 90’s category.
He is survived by his two children, Robert R. Ajello, MD (Jane) of Conway, MA, and Christine A. Novak (Jed) of Haddonfield, and four grandchildren: A. Margaret and Christopher M. Ajello and Jared A. and Jake V. Novak.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday at The First Presbyterian Church, 20 E. Kings Highway, Haddonfield, at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive friends in the church parlor at 10 a.m. and again following the service.
In lieu of flowers, as per his request, memorial contributions may be made to an education fund for Jared and Jake Novak, sent to P.O. Box 97, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 or The Haddonfield Public Library, sent to 60 Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, NJ 08033.