Joseph A. Aurelio Jr.

Dearest Nita, Suzy, Lori, Joey and Amy,

I was feeling sentimental tonight about our good old times at "The Dunes" as kids and just decided to Google your last name. Do you guys remember all the times we ran around the dunes and the beach like a crew of monkeys and those terrific BBQ's on the lawn. I still remember how nice your Dad was and how much my Dad liked to sit and talk with him. Unfortunately, your Dad's times with us at "The Dunes" were few because he always seemed to be...

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
- Anonymous

My wife and I would go to Joe's original location on Ridge Rd on Friday or Saturday nites --- as anyone knew -- THE MOSTTTT crowded nites of the week and wait in lines that were 60-75 mins long. We did not care. If U weren't willing to wait, then the pizza wasn't very good. But no matter how.busy Joe was in seating the massive crowd, he would ALWAYS sit and visit with my wife and me for at least 5-6 mins BC he knew we had driven from Highland. Joe Aurelio was THE VERY BEST part of...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Sue was a good friend of mine in the 80's and she always spoke very well of you. In fact, from our long talks, you reminded me of my grandfather who I adored. Unfortunately, I never got to meet you Joe but I sure loved your pizza.

Thank you for leaving us with a happy place to gather and celebrate with loved ones. You have given us without a doubt the greatest pizza of all time. And if that doesn't amount to immortality I don't know what does. All of your hard labor and determination paid off.

Mr. Joe was one of a kind, a visionary for his day with his wonderful pizza, his upholding of family and traditions and his kindness to all. The neighborhood back in his early days came, saw, tasted, and....came back, again and again! He will be missed, and we send loving thoughts to his family who will miss his wonderful smile as well as his threats to his staff to "make the pizza right!"!!!

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

His pizza was, and is still amazing. I recall well how kind Joe was. He always had a minute (or 30 seconds) to come away from a hot oven and say hi. I played for the Aurelio's Pony League team in 69, and we were a bunch of 13 year olds playing in a 13-15 year old league. Joe encouraged all of us, loss after loss! I was between Lori and Sue in the class of 74 but remember they were very classy and nice young ladies. Joe has such a unique place in the hearts and minds of so many!