Nicholas Critelli

Nicholas Critelli 97, of North Bergen, passed away on Tuesday 3/17/15. He was born and raised in Jersey City. He attended Dickenson High School and was the manager of Jack’s Garage on Summit Avenue. He met his wife, the daughter of Rose Piela, the owner of the beauty salon next door and fell in love. They married in 1942, before he was called to duty for WWII. In the army he rose through the ranks to Technical Sargent in the Fifth Armored Division. He fought in the European Campaign, Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, Hurtgen Forest and was at the liberation of a concentration camp. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and other distinguished service medals. He was a life member of the Fifth Armored Association treasuring the reunions with his army buddies.

After the war, Nicholas was the founder of Eagle Fuel Oil Company in Jersey City for over 45 years. He was a member of the Gold Seal Fuel Association.

He was the cherished son of the late Mary and Gaspare Critelli. He was the beloved husband of the late Tecla Critelli (nee.Piela) and the devoted father of Tecla Critelli MD and husband Paul Brener, Rosemary Critelli Walton and husband Bruce and Nicholas Critelli and wife Vanessa Vanderlinde. He was the loving grandfather of Mia Walton, Nicholas Richard Critelli as well as the brother of Alice Onorato, Adeleine Salvato, Ida Leone, Aurora Pecoraro and Elizabeth Caruso. Nicholas and Tecla were married for 69 years. They loved travel, dining and decorating their home in Rutherford. He enjoyed antiquing but most of all his loving family and they loved him.

The funeral will be on Monday 3/23/15 at 11am at the Leber Funeral Home. The interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The visitation will be on Sunday 3/22/15 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to St. Jude Children’s hospital.