Joseph Amato

Joseph Amato, 93, passed into God’s loving arms on August 22, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Cattolica Eraclea, Sicily, he immigrated to the United States in 1954, after marrying the love of his life, Alfonsa “Alice” Amato (née Palermo).

Joseph began his career as a salesman for Garden State Brickface and retired as the Chief Tax Assessor for the City of Elizabeth, NJ, after 20+ years of service. His nickname was appropriately given as “Professore” since he loved to share his wisdom. His motto was “Do good and forget about it,” and his advice to his grandchildren was always, “Keep Punching!” Joseph had a knack for telling a story or a joke with fervor and delivered his punch line with quick wit and a smile. He loved his community, and he was best known for his altruism and compassion. As an active member of many organizations, he was the former president of the Ribera Social Club in Elizabeth and a member of The Elizabeth Chapter of Unico and The Sicilian Federation. Joseph also served on the board of directors for the Elizabeth Savings Bank and the National State Bank. In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening (especially growing his cucuzza), hunting, traveling, and spending time in Florida with family and friends.

Most of all, he cherished spending time with his loving wife, his 2 children and their spouses, his beloved 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Joseph was the son of the late Giovanni and Filomena (née Cammalleri) Amato and brother of the late Rosalia Ferrera, Anthony Amato, and Dino Amato. He is survived by Alice, his loving wife of almost 68 years, his son, Giovanni, and his wife Kim, of Phillipsburg, his daughter, Mamie, and her husband Jeff, of Monroe, his grandchildren Joseph, Jonathan (Lauren), Alison (Justin), Adam (Taylor), Valerie (Alec), Stephanie (Nick), Jennifer, and Giovanni, his great grandchildren, Brielle, Eliana, Micaela, and Lucas, his sisters-in-law, Anna Amato, Terri Palermo, and Francesca Stanislawczyk, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His love of life and his legacy will live on in us all.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 853 Third Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ, 07202. Interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetery, 792 E. Edgar Road, Linden, NJ.

One of Joseph’s passions was to support children both near and far, from the Elizabeth Coalition for the past 40 years to St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Ribera, Sicily. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial contribution be sent to The Children’s Program at The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, 118 Division Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 or at the following link: www.theelizabethcoalition.org. Please specify The Children’s Program and in Memory of Joseph Amato in your donation. Thank you from the Amato Family.