Octavio "Tave" Padilla

He was born in Newark to Carmen and the late Elias Padilla and lived most of his life in North Newark. Tave was a devoted father, son, brother, friend, coach, and mentor. His favorite title, though, was “Abuelo” to his beloved granddaughter, Isabelle, who was his pride and joy over the last year.

Tave’s heart and soul were inexplicably connected to the community he served. His years of volunteer coaching began with his son, Andre’s, baseball and basketball teams. That later translated into a second career in youth recreation and advocacy. He was the Co-Director of Youth Development and Recreation for The North Ward Center in North Newark for 16 years, and a Board Member of the Newark School Board of Education since 2016. He also worked at Casa Israel Adult Medical Day Program assisting seniors. His service also includes working as an Aide to New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Legislative Aide to New Jersey State Senator Nellie Pou, and Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo.

Tave has also served on the boards of various community-based organizations, including sports and cultural organizations. In recent years he was heavily involved in the planning and execution of Newark’s Puerto Rican Day Parade and Annual Gala as an active Committee Member. He was also a small business owner in Newark, most known as a prestigious shoe salesman for many years before he began his career in civic service. His work in the Brick City, and his legacy of service will not be forgotten.

Known as a “gentle giant”, Tave was a guy whose presence would immediately fill a room; his charisma and a personality that were larger than life. Always affable, kind and engaging. He loved to have fun and he loved people, especially his family. A lot like his father, he had many friends and was the life of every party. He was an avid Mets fan and loved to tease his friends that rooted for the Yankees. Tave also loved his NY Giants, a love he passed on to his children. Every Sunday during football season, he would put on his Big Blue jersey and head to the bar to cheer them on with friends and strangers. By the end of the game, those strangers would become his fast friends. A great basketball player in his youth, he loved his Knicks but also rooted for the Nets, especially after their move to Brooklyn.

He loved his children beyond measure and spoke often about how proud he was of them. In the last year though, the apple of his eye was his granddaughter Isabelle. Strangers, colleagues and friends were frequently reminded of the immense joy she brought to his life.

Tave is predeceased by his father, Elias, and is survived by his mother Carmen, daughter Elysha Vega and her husband Edwin, son Andre Padilla, his granddaughter Isabelle Vega, Siblings Elias, Manda, Mari, Elisa, and Fernando, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Arrangements are by the Zarro Funeral Home, 145 Harrison St., Bloomfield. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 1st from 3:30 pm – 8:30 pm. a facial covering is required and standard social distancing practices must be followed at all times. A mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark at 10am, all who would like to attend are to meet at the church- there will be no gathering at the funeral home, temperature checks will be administered upon entry, a facial covering is required and standard social distancing practices must be followed, thence to Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington for the burial. In Lieu of Flowers donations can be made to The North Ward Center 346 Mt. Prospect Ave. Newark, NJ 07104. All visitors must where facial covering and practice social distancing at all times.