Joel Tucciarone

Joel Tucciarone (100) passed away on Sunday, September 19, at Jersey City Medical Center, due to complications from Parkinson's-related pneumonia. He was just thirty-one days shy of his 101st birthday.

A lifelong resident of Jersey City, Mr. Tucciarone began his work career as a watchmaker and jeweler, following in the footsteps of his father, Vittorio, who had immigrated from Italy to the US in the 1890s. During World War II, Mr. Tucciarone, in spite of a hearing disability, ably served the war effort in New York as a foreman at Sperry Gyroscope, which, among other things, calibrated instruments used in the airplanes of the country's war effort.

In 1951, Mr. Tucciarone changed his business focus and established a retail furniture store in downtown Jersey City with business partner, Dominick Martorano. Known for its excellent product quality, value and customer service, Brunswick Furniture--eventually located on Kennedy Boulevard (a block from famed Tippie's Charcoal Haven)--continued to serve Hudson County residents for nearly four decades.

After a short-lived "retirement," Mr. Tucciarone agreed to become treasurer of his son, Joel David's newly established SOHO-based business and marketing consulting firm ZOETICS, which served a range of clients from Fortune 500's to digital startups. Mr. Tucciarone remained treasurer until 2008, when he was in his 80s. Mr. Tucciarone was a graduate of Ferris High School in downtown Jersey City. He had aspired to become a chemist, but the economic challenges of the Great Depression were such that he started working as an apprentice with his father, who taught him the watchmaking and jewelry trade.

Mr. Tucciarone was born in Jersey City to Vittorio and Rachel (née Dolce) Tucciarone. He survived his siblings, which included five brothers (Calvin, Vincent, Frank, Lucien, and Silvio) and two sisters (Marie and Genevieve).

He met his wife, Anne (née Gregory), while they worked at Sperry Gyroscope during WW2. They married in 1945, and he carried his bride across the threshold of a home they purchased in the Heights section of Jersey City where he continued to live until his death. Their marriage, which extended 70 years until Anne's passing (1922-2015), was an inspiration to many.

He is survived by two children (Victoria and Joel David), four grandchildren (Chrissa, Tor, Christina Joy, Rachel Zoe) and five great-grandchildren (Aiden, Nora, Cara, Joey, Charlotte Anne) and a host of nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A man of quiet faith, Mr. Tucciarone was a dedicated believer in the life, work and teachings of Jesus, and was a member for many years of Grove Reformed Church in North Bergen, along with his wife, Anne.

The Viewing is at Leber Funeral Home, 2000 Kennedy Blvd. (at 20th St.), Union City (PH: 201-863-1100): Friday, September 24 from 3 PM to 7 PM. The Funeral Service is at Grove Reformed Church: 1132 46th Street (at Kennedy Boulevard), North Bergen: Saturday, September 25 at 11 AM.