Joseph R De Lorenzo

JOSEPH ROCCO PATRICK DE LORENZO was born on October 15, 1942, to Josephat Anthony and Mary Jeanne. They taught him diligence and respect. He shared their gift of generosity and was happiest when others were happy. He proudly shared the name of his father and generations of grandfathers, his godfather, Rocco De Lorenzo, and his sponsor, Patsy Lore.

Joseph was the oldest grandchild and cousin in his mother's family, the Nigros, and among the youngest cousins and grandchildren of the De Lorenzos. He first lived on John Street in Peterstown, Elizabeth, New Jersey, and may have spent more time there than in his new childhood area of Bayway, Elizabeth, New Jersey. He always wanted "to go to Big Grandma," Maria Libra, on 4th Avenue and Niles Street. His best friends also lived there, Bill Hyslop, Frank Gagliardi, and Tony Severini. Joseph was the clean-up hitter in stickball, enjoyed the beach, and Jerry's Hot Dogs with potatoes and peppers from Elizabeth Avenue. The friends would enjoy his mother's food. Joseph attended William F. Halloran, Roosevelt Junior High, and Jefferson High School. Always popular, he accompanied many girls to dances and proms.

Joseph would recount that his sergeant in the National Guard gave him a second chance to complete the bars, 75 across and back. He then served for two weeks a year, "at war," as a Private Specialist 4th class dental technician, with further training in a New York City trade school. So, under the direction of a dentist, Joseph was literally able to help someone smile. He later worked for the City of Linden. Only wishing happiness, he would often arrange for people to be together and then relax privately, a little apart from the gathering. No postman or repair person would leave without a snack or drink.

Joseph lived to give. When he bought raisin bread, bagels, pastries, or pizza, he bought enough for his daughters' families and even some neighbors, aunts, uncles, cousins, and doctors. Another love of his was dogs. He named two of his "Andy," but any dog he saw was "boy". Joseph attended Mass each day at noon. His favorite channel was EWTN. He would share commentary about the programming with his Aunt Mary De Lorenzo. Joseph learned a lot from his uncles and spent a great deal of time visiting people and doing errands with his Aunt Nancy (Frances) Gersick, his one-time bowling teammate..

Joseph has a sister, Barbara Pieretti, and two nephews, godson Jaeson Woods, and Eli Joseph, "Uncle Eli," whose wife is Faith and daughters are Lily, Ruby, and Mia. His older daughter is Christine Parrillo, whose husband is James, and grandchildren Steven Joseph, Daniel James, Bethany Marie, David Anthony, Marjorie Ann, James Maleckar, and Mary Abigail. His younger daughter is Denise D'Urso, whose husband is Ciro, and grandchildren Joseph and Matteo. His goddaughter is Michelle (Kelly) Vlahogiannis. Joseph has one living aunt, Elaine Nigro, the wife of Joseph Nigro, who will be 91 in August. He has some cousins across the country and around the world, at least in Italy and Australia. Joseph's desire for anyone would be to be happy, "God blessed, peace of mind for 200years" and to know "Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Messiah". He left us on June 9, 2024, the birthday of one loved cousin, Nancy Renna, from his home in Linden.

Visitation for Joseph will be held Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral on Friday, June 14, 2024, 9:00 am from the funeral home. Funeral mass St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, Linden, 10:00 am. Interment Rosedale Cemetery, Linden.