Obituary for Joseph Farruggio
Joseph Farruggio, 95, Ocean Township, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.
Joseph served as a United States Postal employee for 43 years, retiring as Assistant Postmaster in Monmouth Beach. His second career started soon thereafter where he became a beloved bus driver for the Ocean Township Board of Education, retiring in 2008.
Joseph was a past member of the Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean, Our Lady Mount Carmel Church in Asbury Park and Temple Beth Torah and its Men’s Club in Wanamassa, Ocean Township. An avid Bocce player, Joseph won many tournament trophies. He also enjoyed selling at Collingwood Auction on the weekends for many years, where he gave away more items then he sold.
Born and raised in Neptune, he lived in Wanamassa most of his life. Joseph was drafted into the US Army in 1943, just a month shy of his high school graduation to serve in the war efforts during WWII. Stationed in the Philippines and Japan with Battalion 380, Joseph served as a radar specialist. In 1998, Neptune High School included Joseph and two other veterans in their graduation ceremony at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, where they received their long awaited diplomas to the cheer of family, friends and a grateful audience.
Joseph, the patriarch of our family, was a gentle soul who passed on life lessons of integrity, humbleness and kindness. His memory will always be a blessing and his light will never be extinguished from our hearts. He will be greatly missed.
Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Giuseppe and Calogera (Brocco) Farruggio and 12 siblings.
Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Barbara (Lowy); his children, Joy (Norman) Einhorn, Jeffrey Farruggio, Lisa (Jasper) Parrella and Jami (Michael) Scerbo; his adored grandchildren Dr. Elana (Dr. Elan) Gorshein, Danielle Einhorn, Jennifer (Tyler) Venice, JD (Anthony Marchigiano) Farruggio, Katie (Joe) Palamara, Korin Parrella, Kelli Scerbo and Michael Scerbo; and his seven great-grandchildren Sophie, Jordan, Noah, Lilly, Thomas, James, and Anthony.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers over the years, especially Mary Mellone and unforgettable friend, Elena Malgeri.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 12 noon until his funeral service at 2 pm on Wednesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Burial will follow at Monmouth Memorial Park in Tinton Falls. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the home of Lisa & Jasper Parrella from 4-7 pm Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the American Heart Association (heart.org). For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.
Joseph served as a United States Postal employee for 43 years, retiring as Assistant Postmaster in Monmouth Beach. His second career started soon thereafter where he became a beloved bus driver for the Ocean Township Board of Education, retiring in 2008.
Joseph was a past member of the Italian American Association of the Township of Ocean, Our Lady Mount Carmel Church in Asbury Park and Temple Beth Torah and its Men’s Club in Wanamassa, Ocean Township. An avid Bocce player, Joseph won many tournament trophies. He also enjoyed selling at Collingwood Auction on the weekends for many years, where he gave away more items then he sold.
Born and raised in Neptune, he lived in Wanamassa most of his life. Joseph was drafted into the US Army in 1943, just a month shy of his high school graduation to serve in the war efforts during WWII. Stationed in the Philippines and Japan with Battalion 380, Joseph served as a radar specialist. In 1998, Neptune High School included Joseph and two other veterans in their graduation ceremony at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, where they received their long awaited diplomas to the cheer of family, friends and a grateful audience.
Joseph, the patriarch of our family, was a gentle soul who passed on life lessons of integrity, humbleness and kindness. His memory will always be a blessing and his light will never be extinguished from our hearts. He will be greatly missed.
Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Giuseppe and Calogera (Brocco) Farruggio and 12 siblings.
Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Barbara (Lowy); his children, Joy (Norman) Einhorn, Jeffrey Farruggio, Lisa (Jasper) Parrella and Jami (Michael) Scerbo; his adored grandchildren Dr. Elana (Dr. Elan) Gorshein, Danielle Einhorn, Jennifer (Tyler) Venice, JD (Anthony Marchigiano) Farruggio, Katie (Joe) Palamara, Korin Parrella, Kelli Scerbo and Michael Scerbo; and his seven great-grandchildren Sophie, Jordan, Noah, Lilly, Thomas, James, and Anthony.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers over the years, especially Mary Mellone and unforgettable friend, Elena Malgeri.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 12 noon until his funeral service at 2 pm on Wednesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Burial will follow at Monmouth Memorial Park in Tinton Falls. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the home of Lisa & Jasper Parrella from 4-7 pm Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the American Heart Association (heart.org). For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.