The funeral will be live streamed from www.https://sthelenaedison.org
Edison, NJ- Joseph Ricigliano Sr, 86, died peacefully Thursday September 16, 2021, at home surrounded
by his large, loving family. He was born March 8, 1935 in Newark NJ, the son of the late Frank, Sr and
Jennie (nee Scoppetuolo) Ricigliano.
In June 1953, JoJo as he was known at the time, graduated from West Side High School, Newark, NJ. He
then married Antonia (nee Palmisano) and they recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Frank, Jr and son-in-law Richard Dooley.
Surviving are his wife Antonia and their children, Toni, Sandra Dooley, Susan Turner and her husband
Gary, Joseph Jr and his wife Lori, Jeffrey and his wife, Angie, Tracy Mido and her husband Bob, Patricia
Abene and her husband, Peter, Pamela Gnapp and her husband, Mark, and Paul and his wife, Sue.
Joseph was very proud of his grandchildren Dina, Gary and his wife Melissa, Christopher, Nicholas, Kelly,
Julianna, Angela, Daniel, Alyssa, Anthony, Michael, Anna, Ava, Emma, Olivia, Alexa and his great
grandson Lucas. All of his grandchildren live nearby, and he never missed a chance to watch them play
sports, participate in school activities and share in frequent family gatherings.
Joseph was employed by American Can Company in Hillside and Edison before retiring after 40 years of
service. He maintained friendships with his longtime coworkers and organized an annual reunion for
more than 20 years. He began a second career as Edison Township’s Mr. Fix-It for the department of
senior services before retiring at the age of 81. He was beloved by the seniors he interacted with. After
his full retirement he enjoyed spending time at the beach and smoking a cigar while listening to Italian
music.
He was a parishioner of St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church since its inception in 1966. He was an active
committeeman for the Edison Democratic Organization, District 67, for 35 years.
Joseph loved to coach youth sports and was actively involved in the North Edison Shamrocks Pop
Warner football program and North Edison Baseball and Softball. He was an avid high school sports
enthusiast and enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and the many athletes he coached over the
years excel in their sports careers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Autism Speaks, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a
charity of your choice.
Services will be held on Sunday, September 19 at Gosselin Funeral Home, 660 New Dover Road, Edison
from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Funeral will be held Monday, September 20 from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church, Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ.
Interment at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, Inman Avenue, Colonia, NJ.
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