Josephine R "Jodi" (Leonardis) Parascando

Born in Newark, she has lived in Iselin since the mid-1960s.

            Jodi worked for the Wakefern Food Corporation in Edison for 25 years as a Human Resources & Labor Relations Specialist before retiring in 2008.

Jodi was the first Cub Scouts Den Mother in the Ironbound section of Newark in the mid-1960s while she worked for the Board of Education as a secretary.

She was an active parishioner of St. Cecelia’s RC Church in Iselin, where she served as a volunteer with the church’s annual fair helping the nuns make their famous pizza.  She also taught catechism classes and served as a Rosarian.

Jodi was an active reader who also enjoyed travelling throughout the United States, Europe, Almafi on the coasts of Spain and Africa and in later years cruising the Caribbean.  She also enjoyed dinning out and trying many different types of cuisine.  She was known to always offer assistance to those in need and dedicated her life to her family.  Jodi’s independent and adventurous life is the legacy she leaves behind for her beloved granddaughters and great-grandchildren.

            Her husband, John Parascando died in 1982.  Her brother, James Leonardis died in 1980.

            Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, John & Robbin Parascando of Iselin, and Robert & Lori Parascando of Edison; sister, Pauline Garaffa (husband Frank) of Georgia; brother, Sal Leonardis (wife Alice) of Florida; granddaughters, Melissa Egan (Tom), Heather Kapucinski (Eric), Jessica, Gina & Michelle Parascando; great-grandchildren, Alex Egan & McKayla Kapucinski; and loving companion, John Van Beesel.