I have lived in NJ my whole life, all 45 years, and yet I still learn something new about the state on a regular basis. Today I learned that perhaps the NFL's most famous coach, Vince Lombardi, is buried in Middletown NJ. Most amazing to me is I have probably driven past the cemetary more than 100 times. This isn't a remote part of the state, it's practically the center.
Vince Lombardi and his wife are buried in the Mount Olive Cemetary just off of Chapel Hill Road in Middletown. The cemetary is one town over from where his parents lived and about 30 miles from where he began coaching at St.Cecelia's High School. The very normal looking marker is very popular with Green Bay Packer fans during the football season, and is often decorated with banners or other Packer memorabilia.
I have to admit I didn't know much about Lombardi. I had heard the speeches he was famous for and knew the Super Bowl trophy was named for him, but not much else. I certainly never knew he began his career in NJ or that he was buried here. He is so linked to the Packers I always assumed he was probably buried in Green Bay.
I will certainly have to make a visit in the very near future and maybe even take the time to read more about this man. I might even have to check out the play "Lombardi" on Broadway. Wonder if I can get a package deal to check out "Jersey Boys" at the same time, sort of a NJ on Broadway night.
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