Tribute Wall
Bill Reilly
purchased flowers for the family of Carmine Festa. Send Flowers
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AJ Katz & Chia Min Tiong planted a tree in memory of Carmine Festa
Monday, July 27, 2020
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Dear Anthony- Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With our warmest condolences,
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Anthony Festa lit a candle
Sunday, July 26, 2020
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Eulogy – Pop (7/25/2020) by Anthony Festa
As I wrote these words of remembrance, I guess it was fitting that it happened during a Yankee game – opening day no less….in July! Carmine loved watching the Yankees as much as watching a world war movie, or Gary Cooper tame the wild west (of course if you knew Carmine well, you knew he always wanted to make sure the Allies won in the end, and if you REALLY knew Carmine well, you’d know he never referred to such a Gary Cooper classic by its official title).
Today and every day we’ll have our memories of Carmine - the stoic, happy, and often witty and funny. But to understand why we have such great memories is to understand who he was - it’s important to know what make him tick.
Carmine was born to two Italian immigrants – Andrea and Angelina, who came to this country at different times in their lives to make a better future for themselves and their eventual family. This of course would include dad, his sisters Jeannie, Antoinette, Mary and Lucy, and his brother Larry. They grew up during a time not favorable for this country – the depression, and following second world war, was hard on many. We were reminded as children that coal and oranges could be in our stockings at Christmas, we eventually laughed it off as we got older, but the saying was born from hard times where he and his family had to do whatever it took – the salaries of a barber and cigar roller could only go so far. But their faith in God and work ethic got them through it.
The triumph of faith, family and country through these times inspired our dad to join the navy. He wanted to see the world, and he sailed on a destroyer during another time of conflict – the Korean War. His experiences and naval training served him well when he was honorably discharged, he ended up working in road construction for almost forty years, certainly not an occupation easy on the body nor filling of the wallet. But nonetheless it was honorable work to support himself, then his wife Angela, and eventually his two sons – Anthony and Andrew. He once said to me “Tony, I’m busting my butt so you and your brother don’t have to.” I know where this was coming from, I know he didn’t want to see his sons be another generation of hard laborers as he and many from our past generations were, he wanted us to achieve more lofty goals through higher education and break this mold. But the example he set of dedication to family, friends, and neighbors, hard work, and a foundation in faith was richer than anything my brother and I could have hoped for - it showed us what a family man should inspire to be.
His example is the foundation of our Festa family today. With his wife by his side of 53 years and two successful sons, Carmine spent his twilight years enjoying what I believe to be his most cherished title – pop. We never met dad’s father, and my father never met his grandfathers, but pop was the richest man in the world because he had the five greatest treasures any old salt from Summit, Hopkins, and Beacon Avenues in Jersey City could have ever asked for: Alexandria, Gina, Christopher, Matthew, and Sofia.
Up to the end Carmine never stopped fighting. He helped his parents and siblings fight through a depression, he helped his country fight through conflict, he fought to raise a family through the boom and bust years in New Jersey construction, and he fought for every last day just to see the smiles on his little pittadelli’s and pittadelle’s. Dad fought the battles of life well, make no mistake he won, and as he’s raised up on eagle’s wings into the loving, eternal embrace of Jesus, know this – he’s gone out a champion.
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Laura lit a candle
Saturday, July 25, 2020
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Daniel Figueiredo lit a candle
Friday, July 24, 2020
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Very sorry for your tremendous loss. Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Blessings.
Sincerely,
The Figueiredo Family
Amy George Festa posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, July 24, 2020
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Pops, I am going to miss you so much. You were so good to the children and they will never forget you. You always treated me like the daughter you never had and so I thank you. I’ll miss you on my couch watching Yankees and Giants games with the boys. I’ll miss seeing you in your recliner holding your remote control. I saw that for 20 years. Shop Rite will now start regaining the profits they lost resulting from your over abundant use of multiple coupons. Drew and I would always tell you how we thought they would pay you to leave the store after you would tell us how much you spent on groceries. I’ll miss you calling me several times to tell me you earned the free turkey and asking when I will pick it up. I promise I will always pick up the turkey going forward in your honor. However, it will hurt when you’re not there to enjoy it with us. The 17 months you lived with us while your home was getting built were very memorable. That’s where I learned you were truly something else. I’ll never forget that time. Thanks for being there for us ALWAYS. Please hug my Dad in Heaven, I know how much you loved each other. Rest In Peace. I’ll love you always. Amy xoxoxo
Amy George Festa uploaded photo(s)
Friday, July 24, 2020
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Bill Reilly purchased flowers
Thursday, July 23, 2020
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Bill Reilly
purchased the America the Beautiful and planted a memorial tree for the family of Carmine Festa.
Send Flowers
May you be comforted by the love surrounding you. Carmine will be missed by all those whose life he touched! With sympathies Bill and Melissa Reilly
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John Lesiak posted a symbolic gesture
Thursday, July 23, 2020
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Monthly Poker Games won`t be the same without you !
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The Family of Carmine Festa uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, July 23, 2020
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The family of Carmine A. Festa uploaded a photo
Thursday, July 23, 2020
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About Us
We, the Higgins family, for over 135 years and four generations, have been privileged to serve the families and the community as a whole with professional service and personal attention.
WATCHUNG Location
752 Mountain Blvd
Watchung, NJ 07069
Steve Szczubelek, Manager