Ignazio "Iggy" Belgiovine

Ignazio “Iggy” Belgiovine passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday July 24, 2022 with his loving family beside him. Iggy is survived by the love of his life for 66 years, Mella, his four children Bridget (Sandy Vivas) Belgiovine, Rosemary (Keith) Kwaterski, John (Karen) Belgiovine and Camille (Charles) Spera; his grandchildren Melissa (Adam) Federhar, Lauren (Patrick) O’Brien, Kenneth (Angel) Kwaterski, Matthew (Kristen) Belgiovine, Allison (Jason) Hayhurst, Jennifer ( Ben) Ward, Michael and Amanda Spera; and his great grandchildren, Jack and Jovie O’ Brien, Archer Federhar, Giana, Aria and Ella Kwaterski, and Luke and Jack Hayhurst. In addition, he leaves behind many nieces and nephews, including his devoted Claire and Steve Polcari, Angela and Joseph Defeo and Bridget Gadeleta. He was the last living member of his family being predeceased by his parents, five siblings and their spouses.

Iggy was born in Molfetta Italy and emigrated with his family to Hoboken, New Jersey at the age of seven. He attended high school and began apprenticeship in the garment industry in New York City. In 1950 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a quartermaster in Trieste, Italy during the years 1950-52.

After being honorably discharged he returned to his tailoring trade and shortly thereafter met Carmella Romano. Iggy and Mella married on January 21, 1956 and soon after started their family in Hoboken then settled to a home in Maywood. During this time Iggy started Superior Tailoring Company in Hackensack NJ. Superior Tailoring remained a fixture on Main Street for over 40 years.

Iggy and Mella retired in 1995 and moved to Tamarac, Florida where he enjoyed an active life with his brother and sisters, new friends, and frequent family visitors. His favorite past times were playing cards in the club house, golfing, bowling, traveling, and eating Mella’s home cooking. He and Mella returned to New Jersey last year to be closer to family.

Iggy was always active in community and professional organizations. He held various leadership roles, including president of UNICO International and president and founding member of the Customer Tailors and Designers Association of NJ. In Maywood, Iggy held the position of Post Commander of American Legion Post 142 and was President of the Maywood Rotary Club where he was honored to be a Paul Harris Fellow. Iggy lived his faith by being a long-time parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Peace where he would be found ushering, working bingo, or shucking clams at the church bazaar. While in Florida, Iggy remained active in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Coral Springs serving as an usher and an active member of the Men’s Emmaus.

Iggy was a man who loved his wife, his family, his faith, his friends, his work and his community.

He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 29, 2022 from 8:30am to 10:00am at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ followed by 10:30am Mass of Christian Burial at Church of the Assumption, 29 Jefferson Avenue, Emerson, NJ.