Apolonio S. Herrera

Apolonio (or Pol, the name he was known by) was born in Rizal, Philippines on November 18, 1948 to Flordeliza Sioson and Alejo Herrera. He studied at Far Eastern University of the Philippines in Manila earning his Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. He was one of six graduates sponsored by Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey at the age of 22 under the Exchange Visitors Program from the Philippines where he began his career and where he met his wife, Lota Garcia, also a medical technologist. Together they passed their board exam for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). His career history included employment both full and part-time at the Paul Kimball Hospital, the East Orange Hospital, Union Hospital, Morristown Memorial Hospital, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and BioReference Laboratory.

Pol was also a prolific artist who studied and graduated with high honors from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. He won so many awards for his exhibition pieces that he was offered a teaching position at the school after graduation. Among his major art contributions is a mural depicting 17th century American Christian life that was painted on the walls of Northfield Baptist Church, the oldest Christian church in Livingston, NJ. As a member of the Livingston Arts Association, he created pieces that were displayed in many local venues as well as stage props for the Filipino Musical Ensemble, a performance troop that performed in cultural festivals around the region. Later in life, he published a book called “Polinearism” a philosophy he developed to help “lift up the people of music from their struggles and give them the proper recognition for who they are, and have them see the music themselves, that makes it possible because of God's Love for us. Since God's Love is unconditional that qualifies everyone to be the subject of this type of art”. (His book is available for purchase on Amazon).

He learned how to play piano at Calderone School of Music as an adult along with his children. He used his musical skills on both the piano and guitar to minister to Overlook Hospital patients in Summit, NJ volunteering regularly as a music therapist. He also felt called by the Lord to further use these skills

to share the gospel to the community at large, performing in local venues.

His family were one of three families who founded the Living Stone Christian Fellowship, a Filipino-American church, sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention. More recently he joined and served in the prayer ministry at The Life Christian Church, a multi-ethnic non-denominational church in West Orange, NJ. Pol actively participated in the Livingston Old Guard, a group of retirement-age men who are influential in the civic affairs of the Livingston Township community, where he resided for 47 years and raised his two daughters.

As a born-again Christian, his primary passion in life was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in obedience to the Lord. He spread the gospel to anyone who he encountered.

He was a loving husband, a doting father and grandfather who loved to eat good food, spend time with his family, watch golf and play 70’s music.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lota; his daughters Christina (Marc)and Sarah (Arthur), grandchildren Audrey, Mason and Amy and his brother Edmond.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 4 from 4-8 PM at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston, NJ. Funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 5 at 10AM with entombment to follow at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ.