Carol T. Furnari

Carol Furnari, 92, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2025. She was born in Newark, NJ to Carlo and Jennie Potignano on October 2, 1932, and was one of six children. She is survived by her brother, Carlo.

Carol was born with a hole in her heart, something that was not discovered until she was in first grade. Because of this she was sent to a school that could accommodate her and give her rest periods. She graduated from Arts High School in 1950, due to it having an elevator and a nurse. Following graduation, she went to secretarial school. She worked at Woolworths, an insurance company, and the Newark Social Security Office before becoming a Guidance Office Clerk at Barringer High School.

Carol married Joseph Furnari in 1954 at St. Michael’s in Newark. They had an Italian football wedding ceremony. They were married for 71 years and had three children and six grandchildren. The two of them lived a beautiful life together, surrounded by their family.

Carol was the rock of her family, and she provided wonderful meals for them. She made amazing meatballs and meatloaf. During her time working she became an excellent typer and was instrumental in getting her sons through school by typing their papers. She spent time with her grandchildren, playing cards with them, going to their school events, and going to concerts in parks. She enjoyed watching game shows and going on trips. She would frequently go with Joe to Marco Island. She was always a phone call away but would always make sure to check in with everyone on her own.

In the last few years, she took to giving grand speeches at parties and dinners, announcements to the family framing her life with Joe and everyone in terms of gratitude. She didn’t want anyone to question whether she loved us, was proud of us, or that she led a good life.

She was a devout Catholic and very involved in church activities at both Sacred Heart in Newark and St. Michael’s in Union, where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. Carol and Joe worked with the St. Michael’s CYO Youth Ministry where they embraced the young people who looked to them as “grandparents.”

Carol followed Joe less than a month after his passing. Carol and Joe’s family believed this was what they wanted. Their love for each other was visible for all to see. They have emulated their faith and followed their calling from God. We believe they are together again, holding hands, as they always did. They spent 71 amazing years together here and could not spend more than a month apart without each other.

She is survived by her three children, Russell, Joseph, and Lisa, and her daughters-in-law, Lydia and Deborah, and son-in-law, Peter, who she quickly accepted as her own, not as in-laws.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Gina and her husband Matt, Nick, David, Vanessa, and Gianna.

Additionally, Carol was blessed to have a large “extended” family who she made feel as if they were a part of her own family.

SUNDAY DINNER

A recipe passed down

Filled with love and heart

A favorite of all the grandkids

Who loved it from the start

One day at winter's end

We learned it all together

Sitting in the old kitchen

Mixing meat with bread and water

She always froze the meatballs

I think it added to their texture

And brought us all around the table

To enjoy this Furnari fixture.

By David Furnari

A visitation will be held at McCracken Funeral Home, at 1500 Morris Ave in Union, on Tuesday, August 5th from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Separately, a memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, August 6th at 10:15 am at St. Michael’s Church, at 1212 Kelly St, in Union.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Carol Furnari to Deborah Foundation. The link is: https://www.deborahfoundation.org/donate/