Rememberin J. Phillip Citta

Since he died in 2004 there has never been a time when I walked into the Office Restaurant & Lounge in Toms River that I did not think of Phil Citta. He was not just the owner of the popular bar and restaurant but the heart and soul of the place and you would usually find Phil greeting you upon arrival. Even on a cold day in the middle of January he usually had on one of those bright Hawaiian print shirts that reminded you of summer not winter at the shore…plus who can forget those wacky costumes he used to wear at Halloween? Phil Citta loved the Office Lounge and you just never expected there would be a time when he would not be there.

But that time came much too soon when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He tried just about everything before losing the battle five years ago
but in his death the fight continues to win the war. The Citta Family donated $1 million in his name to Community Medical Center which led to the dedication of the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center in 2005. Affiliated with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, the 20,000 square-foot facility offers state-of-the-art radiation oncology, infusion services and educational and support services to patients and their families.

I mention all of this because today the Office Lounge will hold their 4th annual fundraiser for the benefit of cancer research at Community Medical Center. During the all-day, all-night benefit 50% of profits will be donated plus all the proceeds from special tee-shirt sales as wells auctions that will go on throughout the day. The first three Phil Citta Memorial Fundraisers raised about $50,000 and officials are hoping that today’s event adds significantly to that.

If you would like to help and you cannot make it to the Office Lounge today at the intersection of Route 37 and Main Street you can call in a personal donation to the Community Medical Center Foundation at (732)
557-8131,