A lesson in dichotomy, Renato Foschini tried to blend in but nonetheless stood out. He was a quiet leader, a small powerhouse and a patient busybody, said his wife, Maria Foschini. "They didn't get better than him," she said. "He was a hard worker, kind, generous, giving. He had the patience of a saint."

Born in November 1969 in Paterson, Foschini lived his life in nearby Hawthorne.  He met Maria in grade school. The two became close in high school and started dating. She was 15. He was 16. "At a party, he would sit back," she said. "He wanted to blend in, but he was funny as hell. He was witty out of nowhere."