James Babe Lallo Jr.

“It’s actually wise to count your chickens before they hatch, it’s nearly impossible when they’re all running about” – Oscar Wilde. At his home in Delran, Babe kept everything from horses, to goats, to ducks, but his favorite was always the chickens. They weren’t a food supply, they were a reflection of his love of animals. A true outdoorsman, he was always up to go camping, fishing or hunting. Even when at home he could normally be found in his garden, growing everything from tomatoes and string beans to grapes and figs. True to his Italian roots he loved to cook. At home it was pasta fagioli, and those in his hunting party would usually find a bowl of hot stew waiting after a long day. Regardless of what was happening in life, you could bet he’d be in a good mood. Blessed with a light-hearted demeanor, he always had a joke to tell and a smile on his face.

As a young man, Babe came across a girl named Joan (nee Winkelspecht) picking cherries. She instantly liked him, but her dad did not approve. Despite her father’s disapproval, often made clear via his shotgun, the two were wed in 1957, and eventually Babe and his father-in-law became the best of friends. Together, Babe and Joan were blessed by their sons: Ron (Rhonda) of Delanco, Mike (Lin) of Delran, Ed of Riverside, Rob (Patti) of PA, Ken (Mary) of Delran, Jim (Tina) of Riverside, Brian (Christine) of Waterford, and the late James Dominic, and again by their 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Babe is also survived by his sister, Angelina Swain of AL and his dog, Willie.

Come celebrate Babe’s 80 wonderful years (Sept. 13, 1933-Aug. 9, 2014) Thursday from 9 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, where the service will be at 11 AM. Interment Odd Fellows Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Our Little Hero C.O.P. Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, P.O. Box 441, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060.