Joseph E. Centofanti

Joseph E. Centofanti, October 31, 2011 -, Internationally recognized Master Custom Tailor of Ardmore, Pa at age 93 Born to Nicholas & Marietta Ragnone Centofanti in Philadelphia on 8/15/1918, Joseph E Centofanti moved to Italy with his family in 1922, and later to Ethopia as part of the Italian colonization in 1937 where he worked as a tailor. While in Africa at the age of 21, Centofanti was drafted into the Italian Army and served for the Vatican Apostolate Consulate. Following Italy's surrender, Centofanti was held as a British POW in Kenya and returned to Italy after the war in 1947 where he opened his first custom tailor shop in Rome. Centofanti then moved to Philadelphia in 1949 in order to retain his most prized possession, his American citizenship, lived in Manayunk, and worked as a tailor. He married Helen McGrath of Roxborough 11/22/1952 and in 1953 their twin daughters, Helen and Marie, were born. Over the next 8 years, Centofanti assisted in bringing his parents, one brother, three sisters and their families to the USA from Italy. In 1956, Centofanti Custom Tailors opened in Ardmore where he continuously worked until age 92. His business, now skillfully operated by his daughter Helen Centofanti Peatross, continues to provide 'world class' custom made garments for customers from Philadelphia region and around the world. Joseph Centofanti is survived by two daughters, Helen Peatross and Marie Haas, their husbands Charles Peatross and Terry Haas, grandchildren Joseph, Julianna Haas , and David Peatross, brother Enzo Centofanti of Philadelphia, and sisters Eva d'Amore of Chieti, Italy and Gloria Chiesi of Sherman, Conn. Joseph Centofanti was a member of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce for 68 years, Ardmore Rotary where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy, Rolling Green Golf Club and Avalon Country Club. In 2008 Joseph Centofanti was inducted as a member of the Societe Cavalieri d' Italy. He was also a member of the World Congress of Master Tailors and was a past president of the Custom Tailor and Designer Association of America where he received numerous design awards over the last 60 years. In 1997 Centofanti was named the International Master Tailor of the year at the Congress Mundial de Maestros Sastres in Valencia, Spain and received the 2001 Diploma of Honor from the International Master Tailors 29th Congress in Paris, France. Centofanti was named as one of the Top 10 Custom Tailors in the USA by The Robb Report and was featured in their August 2002 magazine. He was also featured in the Main Line Times, twice in the Philadelphia Inquirer (12/12/2002 and 5/4/2008), and is a lead character in the Vasilopoulos full length movie, "Men of the Cloth" due to be released shortly. Joseph Centofanti was passionate about his family, his work, and his friends and will be missed by all who have known him. Services will be held on 11/21 at St Denis Church in Havertown, Pa. with visitation 9-10:30 and mass at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked friends to send donations to the MEN OF THE CLOTH documentary - found at www.Menoftheclothfilm.com/contribute.