Condolence: My deepest prayers and thoughts to your wife,children, grandchildren and extended family.
Over the years I have come into contact with alot of people but Joe Gallo is one that will remain forever.
From my early years of going to Gallos to get the Sunday newspaper and hear Joe shout out "just leave it on the counter kid." The paper was 35 cents.
During the next few years I spent alot of time inside the store.Perhaps the memory that really sticks out is when the first aid whistle would hit and Joe would run across Monmouth Rd.to the firehouse to drive the ambulance.I don't think he ever lost a lit cigarette doing this.
Already in stride putting on his green first aid jacket Joe would shout out "watch the store kid I will be right back."
Who could ever forget the meetings in the back stools.Joe,Gerry,Val,Tony,Jackie,the farmer, and a couple of Joes.The aroma of cherry flavored tiparillos filled the store.If you were lucky enough Joe would blurt out"no bread" to an unsuspecting customer.
As the years went on I would see Joe at the liquor store.Lottery tickets, Monday night football,and people on Joline Ave.stopping in and asking "where is the beach?"
Joe you always had the door open for me and were always good for a firm handshake.
May you rest in peace.

Condolence: I was so sorry to read about Mr. Gallo's passing. I lived on Cedar Avenue as a child and spent a lot of time in Gallo's. I remember collecting empty soda bottles with my neighbor, Paul Griffith, and taking them to the store for the deposit. With that money I'd buy penny candy, a root beer popsicle, a cherry coke, a comic book or punks. Great childhood memories!

Condolence: I was so saddened to hear about Uncle Joe's passing :( What a FABULOUS man and it's such a terrible loss. Sending my condolences and love to the family.

Condolence: Joe was a long standing dedicated and hard working employee and volunteer for West Long Branch but more importantly was a wonderful guy. I will miss him. My prayers are with him and all the family.
Bill

Condolence: Joe and a Family so sorry for the loss. Sending prayers and sympathy for all of you at this sad and difficult time.
Dave & Maryann Olson

Condolence: Mrs Gallo, Joe, Nancy, I am sorry for your loss Mr Gallo was a big part of my life growing up and will always be in my heart. many good memories.
Donnie & Dara Mazza

Condolence: Thoughts and prayers sent as just the day before young Joe and I carried our friend Squid for his last ride. Joe, Sr. was a man of few words but the memories of shooting darts with him laughing and smiling will remain with me forever. He had a great run and a blessed family.

Condolence: Sorry for your loss Mrs Gallo and Joe and family

Condolence: We are sorry to learn of Joe's passing. He was a good neighbor and friend for many years. Although we have not seen each other in a very long time, we remember fondly our Maple Avenue years and Joe was always there to help, guide and advise his younger neighbors. We thought of him often over the years. Our deepest sympathy.

Condolence: It is with great sadness that I report the passing of a man who's business was a part of my youth and that of all my classmates. The owner of one of the last true "soda shops", complete with green vinyl and chrome stools that EVERY one of us spun on as kids, and one of the few real "penny candy" counters, Joe Gallo was a neighborhood icon. Gallo's luncheonette made great sandwiches, and amazing milkshakes. The pay-phone out front was the cell-phone of all the kids in the neighborhood...201-222-5451...how's THAT for a memory? Gallo's was a block from the Wall Street School, and a block from the Church, and only a block down the street. I decided to walk there on my own when I was about 3-4 - my mother saw the pom-pom on top of my wool hat sticking up from the trench in the snow as I walked on the shoveled sidewalk (I was tiny, if you can believe that), while looking out the kitchen window...always was an independent sort. I'd gone out the back door, coat and shoes and hat, without telling anyone - off to the candy counter! Barber shop was in the same building, where Joe Guici gave me my first haircut.

Clint Sorrentino later bought the business, and did as great a job on the food, but that was the end of the penny candy counter. Chuckles were one of my favorites...they were a whole nickel. Between that and Naninni's grocery on Wall Street, it was kid heaven. Dominick the butcher is long gone, and sorely missed, also. Good men, from another era...models for what we need to become, again.

"Call me Joe." What an honor to have an adult who was not a family member tell you that when you're six. He was the first guy who told me "stay away from fast women and slow horses, kid". My Uncle Ray said that all the time, but I remember hearing it first from "Joe".

Mr. Gallo - "Joe" -, may you rest well - I remember your more than tolerant smile as the neighborhood kids would come in and out of the store. You never treated us as an "inconvenience", and we were always mutually respectful. An awful lot of noses must have pressed up against that glass. Another age, I guess. Gallo's was as close to "Gower's Drug Store" in "Bedford Falls" as you could ever find. I will never forget sitting on the stool in your store, and your telling me about how you listened to my dad on the radio...I was so proud, I know I was beaming.

Requiscat en Pace, old friend.