Obituary for Mary Marie Mercogliano
Mary (Marie) Massaro Mercogliano, also known as Aunt Hon by so many, 88, of Oceanport, passed away surrounded by her loving family at home on Saturday, January 5, 2019, after a hard and long fight with diabetes and kidney disease.
Marie was born in Long Branch to Catherine and Salvatore Massaro.
She was a longtime communicant of St. Dorothea’s Roman Catholic Church in Eatontown.
Marie and her husband, Nicholas (Nick), settled in Oceanport over 60 years ago. She was happiest while spending time with her precious family. She was a very proud Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marie loved cooking and baking for family parties and holidays; she was best known for her delicious cheesecake among many other family favorites.
From 1974 to 1998, Marie was employed at Fort Monmouth, where she made so many fond memories in the Office of Logistics and Maintenance Directorate. She remained close to so many of her co-workers.
Marie was predeceased by her husband of 46 years and love of her life, Nick; her parents; her brothers, Angelo, and his wife, Kay, Joseph, Sam, Louie and his wife, Mae; and her sister, Connie, and her husband, Tom. She is also predeceased by her in-laws: John, Louise, and Antonietta Mercogliano, and her brothers-in-law; John, Alfonso and Fran; Victor and his wife, Jonatha, and Frank Bressi.
She is survived by her children: Louise Petillo and son-in-law, Mike; Diana Fornarotto and son-in-law, Joseph; Toni Gerstein and son-in-law, Isaal; her grandchildren: Nicole Fornarotto Seymour and her husband, Richard; Michele Petillo White and her husband, Christopher; Joseph Fornarotto and his wife, Jessica; Jennifer Petillo Rapuano and her husband, Robert; Rachael Gerstein and her fiancé, Adam Moss; and Sarah Gerstein; her great-grandchildren: Siena Seymour, CJ White, Mikey White, Nicholas Seymour, Nico White, Victoria Rapuano and Madison Fornarotto. She is also survived by her brother, Salvatore Massaro, and his wife, Marie, Ocean; her sister-in-law, Margaret Massaro, North Carolina; her sister-in-law, Marlene Bressi, Long Branch; and her brothers-in-law, Bruce Mercogliano and his wife, Maureen, Haddonfield, NJ; Andrew Mercogliano and his life-time companion, Betsy Viary, Netherwood, NJ; and Rick Mercogliano and wife, Jayne, Virginia. She will be greatly missed by her best friend, and other “sister,” Ahuva Gerstein and her husband, Baruch, Ocean; and so many nieces, nephews and friends.
Her family would like to thank all her doctors, Davita Atlantic Artificial Kidney Center, VNA, and her caregiver for all their help, support, and patience during this difficult time.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 4-8 pm Tuesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 am Wednesday at St. Dorothea’s Roman Catholic Church, Eatontown. Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport. In her memory, please consider making a donation to Marie’s favorite charity, Embrace Kids Foundation, PACCT Program, 121 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, or a charity of your choice. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.
Marie was born in Long Branch to Catherine and Salvatore Massaro.
She was a longtime communicant of St. Dorothea’s Roman Catholic Church in Eatontown.
Marie and her husband, Nicholas (Nick), settled in Oceanport over 60 years ago. She was happiest while spending time with her precious family. She was a very proud Nana to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marie loved cooking and baking for family parties and holidays; she was best known for her delicious cheesecake among many other family favorites.
From 1974 to 1998, Marie was employed at Fort Monmouth, where she made so many fond memories in the Office of Logistics and Maintenance Directorate. She remained close to so many of her co-workers.
Marie was predeceased by her husband of 46 years and love of her life, Nick; her parents; her brothers, Angelo, and his wife, Kay, Joseph, Sam, Louie and his wife, Mae; and her sister, Connie, and her husband, Tom. She is also predeceased by her in-laws: John, Louise, and Antonietta Mercogliano, and her brothers-in-law; John, Alfonso and Fran; Victor and his wife, Jonatha, and Frank Bressi.
She is survived by her children: Louise Petillo and son-in-law, Mike; Diana Fornarotto and son-in-law, Joseph; Toni Gerstein and son-in-law, Isaal; her grandchildren: Nicole Fornarotto Seymour and her husband, Richard; Michele Petillo White and her husband, Christopher; Joseph Fornarotto and his wife, Jessica; Jennifer Petillo Rapuano and her husband, Robert; Rachael Gerstein and her fiancé, Adam Moss; and Sarah Gerstein; her great-grandchildren: Siena Seymour, CJ White, Mikey White, Nicholas Seymour, Nico White, Victoria Rapuano and Madison Fornarotto. She is also survived by her brother, Salvatore Massaro, and his wife, Marie, Ocean; her sister-in-law, Margaret Massaro, North Carolina; her sister-in-law, Marlene Bressi, Long Branch; and her brothers-in-law, Bruce Mercogliano and his wife, Maureen, Haddonfield, NJ; Andrew Mercogliano and his life-time companion, Betsy Viary, Netherwood, NJ; and Rick Mercogliano and wife, Jayne, Virginia. She will be greatly missed by her best friend, and other “sister,” Ahuva Gerstein and her husband, Baruch, Ocean; and so many nieces, nephews and friends.
Her family would like to thank all her doctors, Davita Atlantic Artificial Kidney Center, VNA, and her caregiver for all their help, support, and patience during this difficult time.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 4-8 pm Tuesday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 am Wednesday at St. Dorothea’s Roman Catholic Church, Eatontown. Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport. In her memory, please consider making a donation to Marie’s favorite charity, Embrace Kids Foundation, PACCT Program, 121 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, or a charity of your choice. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.