North Brunswick couple goes for the gold
The former Rita Dellasala andWilliamManning celebrate 50th anniversary
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

Then and now: Rita and William Manning, of North Brunswick, celebrated their 50th year of marriage Feb. 8.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Rita Dellasala andWilliamManningmet at a party on Somerset Street in New Brunswick.

His friend told the 16-year-old fromNew Brunswick that "I'mgoing to invite you and the hottest girl you ever saw." He met the 14-year-old North Brunswick girl that night, but they didn't see each other around much.

That was, until, he met a girl at the candymachine of the State Theatre inNew Brunswick, where he worked as an usher, who turned out to be Dellasala's sister.

"Her sister said to me, 'My sister would be a great girl for you,' not knowing we had already met," he said. "I knew right away, from the first day I saw her … but I had to chase the hell out of her."

Thus began a relationship that has progressed into 50 years ofmarriage. TheMannings celebrated their anniversary on Feb. 8, marking a half-century of a life together in North Brunswick.

Their first real date was at the State Theatre for a performance of "Annie Get Your Gun." Rita's sister brought her there and theymet Bill, both getting in free. They went to Rita's uncle's sweet shop and Bill remembers her ordering a black and white soda.

Later on, Rita went to Bill's senior prom at his high school with the after party on the roof of a New York hotel. He said they were coming home as the sun came up.

They also used to drive to Seaside Heights on Sundays.

But because Bill was out of high school while Rita was a junior, he decided to register for the military before the draft.

"Things were getting hot and heavy. I said, 'This is not good.' I couldn't get a good job at the time because I was going to get drafted," he said.

So while Bill was training at Fort Dix to prepare for the Korean War, Rita would visit him every weekend. But when he was moved to Fort Jackson in South Carolina, they didn't see each other for a long time because as amember of a heavyweapons company, he was scheduled to go to Japan.

"I said, 'Maybewe'll get engaged because I have some time,' " but then plans were changed for him to go to Germany.

Ritamet Bill atMcGuireAir Force Base, not knowing she would not see him again for two years. She would write him letters every day, but "sometimes she would skip two days and write three letters," Bill said.

When Bill returned home after the war, he said he gained 25 to 30 pounds and Rita walked right passed him.He said he noticed her instantly, especially how much she matured, with a kerchief on her head, driving a 1955 white Ford convertible she had purchased by selling his car.

"What are you doing with all that junk on your face?" he said was the first thing he asked her. "She never wore that, she only wore lipstick."

"She changed so much. She was even more beautiful. She was always a beautiful girl, headstrong."

Rita said during their two-year separation shewent out with friends, but "wewere still devoted to each other." Now reunited, the couple decided to get married. There was a blizzard the day of their reception so not many people showed up to the South River hall, but those who did had beer and sandwiches.

"We were two kids, we were broke. We didn't have any money," Bill said, adding that this was "the best thing I ever did."

Rita remembers things a little differently though: she said as she was standing on the steps of the church while the rice was being thrown, she turned to Bill and said, "Are you happy now?"

Deciding to remain in town where Rita's family was, the two began the William Manning Trucking Co., which is still operating today. They built a new house on her father's property and their first apartment was on Cozzens Lane.

"It was a wonderful experience growing up in this type of atmosphere. It was slower. People like my father would play bocce ball at Adams on U.S. 1. They were just easier times," Rita said.

"There is a big influx of New York people here now," Bill said. "You could go out on that highway and there was grass in the middle at the time, no barriers like now. Now you go out on the highway and you can wait 15 minutes to get out there."

Over the last few decades, the pair had two sons, Bill and Jeffery, and spent a lot of time on their boat, swimming in their pool and "jitterbugging." They now enjoy spending time with their three granddaughters, Jenna, Jacqueline and Stephanie, going to Atlantic City, visiting the Poconos and taking their annual anniversary vacation in the Bahamas.

The Mannings celebrated their anniversary this year at Covino's restaurant on Route 130; coincidentally, Rita's mother celebrated her 50th anniversary at the old Covino's restaurant on Route 27 in South Brunswick 60 years ago.

"We're all about family - that's what it's all about. I think that's what makes a good marriage - sharing it with your family," Rita said.