Justin J. Molisani Jr.

Host With Huge Dimples
To family and friends alike, Justin J. Molisani was "as loyal as a puppy dog," said his wife, Jodi. A sizable puppy dog, mind you — a 6-foot-3, nearly 300-pound weightlifter — and undeniably loyal.

When his best friend moved into a new house, he spent four or five weekends helping with the finishing touches. When his wife's stepfather ran for office, he was there pitching in. When Bob Cecere Jr., his college roommate, was out of work, Mr. Molisani got him a job interview. When, on a "miserable, long and exhausting day," Mr. Cecere moved, Mr. Molisani was there all day helping. And if the job was demolition, he'd be there in a flash.

Mr. Molisani, 42, a senior vice president at Euro Brokers, loved to entertain. Their house in Lincroft, N.J., his wife said, was "the Christmas party house," with Mr. Molisani — known to all as Jud — the jovial host with the huge dimples, making sure every glass was full.

But the "center of his universe," she said, was his 3-year-old daughter. They could play for hours with her pretend kitchen, as she reveled in making him imaginary coffee or sandwiches.


Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 6, 2001.


Justin J. Molisani Jr., 42, a devoted friend Justin J. Molisani Jr., a jovial host and devoted friend, loved to entertain guests.

"We were known as the neighborhood 'Christmas party house,'" said his wife, Jodi Molisani.

When his neighbors found out that Mr. Molisani did not return home following the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center, they quickly planted a heart-shaped arrangement of burgundy chrysanthemums at the end of their cul-de-sac in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township.

"He was always a very caring person. He was extremely considerate, extremely thoughtful, always worried about other people," said his wife. "He always went out of his way for everybody."

Mr. Molisani, 42, was a senior vice president and agency broker for EuroBrokers in Two World Trade Center. He worked as an agency broker for 14 years in New York for various firms, his wife said.

Born in Queens, N.Y., Mr. Molisani lived in Aberdeen before moving to Lincroft two years ago.

A football player and wrestler at Manasquan High School, Mr. Molisani continued to play those sports at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., where he joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1981.

Mr. Molisani and his wife met at a wedding, and next month would have been married for 10 years. Their daughter, Morgan Lynn, will be 3 years old next month.

On weekends, Mr. Molisani catered to his daughter, taking her to the park and to Wendy's, or playing "pretend" with her.

An avid exerciser, he enjoyed working out at home.

"Stairmaster, rowing machine, recumbent bike, weights, treadmill -- he did it all," his wife said. Standing 6-feet, 3 inches and weighing 290 pounds, friends called him "the Big Man," his wife said.

Over the summer, the family went on a series of weekend and day trips, everywhere from Hershey Park to Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

"I feel very lucky that we had a wonderful summer together," his wife said.

Besides his wife and daughter, Mr. Molisani is survived by his father, Justin Molisani Sr. and stepmother Judy Ebery of Brick, and his grandparents, Camille and Louis Ardizzone of Lakewood.

Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary's Memorial Hall, 26 Leonardville Road in the New Monmouth section of Middletown Township. A funeral Mass will be celebrated tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Memorial Hall.

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