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Joseph Lezza Obituary
AGE: 67 • Waretown
Joseph P. Lezza, 67, of Waretown, died on July 28, 2013 at his home. He was born in Hoboken, NJ and lived in Middletown before moving to Waretown one year ago. He received his BS degree in Accounting from St. Peter's College and worked as an accountant for Phillips in Somerset for 20 years, retiring in 2002. He was a member of the Hoboken Italian Festival committee and the Madonna dei Martiri Society. Joseph served in the US Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969.
Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Maria Lezza; son, Joseph Lezza; mother, Mary Lezza; sisters and brothers-in-law, Maryann and David Cicero and Bernadette and James Conahan; sister-in-law, Antonia Cella; 3 nephews, Thomas, James and Brian; 4 nieces, Pamela, Natalie, Melissa and Jessica. Joseph was preceded in death by his father Sabino Lezza.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 9:15 am at St. Mary's Chapel, 26 Leonardville Rd., Middletown. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, N. Arlington. Contributions may be made to: The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714. For more information, to send condolences or for directions, please visit www.pflegerfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Lezza
Maryanne Cicero
August 2, 2023
July 28, 2023
Dear beloved brother, Joey,
It´s been 10 years and oh so many tears.
But I thank God for the good times and wonderful memories shared.
Recently I came across a hilarious 2011 email you sent.
It was a humorous story titled
"Italian Fire Department".
I can just envision you hysterical laughing to yourself
knowing how everyone you shared it with was going to enjoy a good laugh as well.
You had always been there for me in my ups and downs.
Miraculously, you are still able to make me laugh and flip my frowns.
Losing you left a such void in my life.
You were always there to block a strife.
Another memory I think of often: sitting next to you in doctor´s waiting room in agonizing pain you would quietly moan.
You noticed and made this comment to me "Look at everyone on their cell phones!"
I looked around and knew what you meant.
If they only looked up to engage and observe what´s happening around them.
Life is precious...this non-face to face interaction is insane!
Maybe, they would notice your pain.
I know you, my dear brother, would politely explain.
Probably in the hopes to warn and inform them of your war against a horrible disease and that it won´t be in vain.
A Hero once again.
I truly believe, you and Mom and Dad and other heavenly angels are always watching over me and my family. I feel you all around, especially in my dreams and strange coincidences. David and I and all our children still love and miss you all so very much.
Gone but never ever forgotten. Always in our hearts
By the way brother, though I ordered it about a week ago today,
I was supposed to receive your wonderful son, Joseph´s first published book today.
However, the delivery couldn´t wait one day longer,
I know it was your heavenly intervention and your pride and joy in his book and achievement that was so much stronger!
I can just hear you say, "start reading the book Mare...
it´s so good you won´t be able to put it down...
I swear!!"
Your sister,
Maryanne and Family
V. Ricci
August 25, 2013
To the Lezza Family - I just heard of your loss. I am very saddened. Rest in peace, Joe.
August 22, 2013
To the Lezza Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. V. Ricci
August 7, 2013
My Dad
(by Joseph S Lezza) pg 1 o 2
“You're the best. You're the greatest. And, I love you.” Those three little sentences are forever etched into my memory. For as long as I can remember that has been the special code between my father and I. One of us would say “You're the best.” The other would answer: “You're the greatest.” And, we would both say “I love you.”
There are some things about my father that I was never sure of: How many Galliano bottles he could collect before he amassed a tiny porcelain army; How many times he could listen to an Andrea Boccelli album on repeat before I wanted to jump out the car window; or, How he could deliver some of the most horribly corny jokes I've ever heard and, each time, find them foot-stompingly hilarious. But, if there's one thing I was always sure of, it was how deeply my father loved. Dad was never shy about letting that be known and he took every opportunity that presented itself to either say it or show it. And, for that, I consider myself to be one of the luckiest kids in the world.
Though my father was never reluctant to slip me some cash when I was going out with friends, no amount of money could come close to the gift that was his love. He showed it in so many different ways. Dad would do whatever he could to make sure he was actively involved in my life.
As a child, he fostered my love for model trains. Each year the two of us would move every stick of furniture out of the living room, lay down yards and yards of track and transform the empty space into a beautiful miniature Christmas train village. Knowing how enamored I was with the concept of driving, he would return from work each day, hold the car at the foot of the driveway and would wait patiently as I ran out, jumped in, sat on his lap and grabbed the steering wheel. He would lightly touch the gas pedal and allow me to “drive” the car into the garage, all the while with his hands secretly on the steering wheel where I couldn't see them.
In high school, as I became involved in the theatre, Dad immersed himself in that world and became an integral part of what became my favorite extracurricular activity. Though I'm sure it was slightly foreign to a former high school football-player, he was always present and always wanted to know how things were going. Over my four years at Red Bank Catholic, Dad attended every single main stage production and was always waiting for me afterwards with a big hug and words of pride.
After college, my father became (perhaps by force) a Disney enthusiast. As I left home and moved to Florida for a four month internship that quickly turned into four years, Dad and I spoke every day and I would proceed to talk his ear off and feed him mountains of information that bore such significance to me but probably came out on the other end as an unintelligible foreign language. Still, that did not matter. Dad wanted to know everything. He wanted to be a part of that life and made it very clear that he was there. Every so often I would find a package in my mailbox, fresh from Ebay, containing some
Page 2 of 2
obscure Disney trinket that he had clearly spent a great deal of time researching.
But, that there was the real gift. Objects aside, my father worked to always make sure that we stayed on the same wavelength and that we could share in each other's lives. The time and effort he would put in to do something special was worth so much more than something that could sit on a shelf. He wanted to show he cared.
I tried so hard to do the same for him whenever I could. Whether it was attending countless classic car shows to marching in the procession for the Madonna dei Martiri; I wanted to be involved in the things that were important to him just as he had done for me.
But, these are all personal stories and his love was anything but selective. As a Dad, a husband, a son, an uncle, a brother or a brother-in-law he was a true success. My father had a sincere love for his family and embraced any opportunity that arose to bring us all together. Dad absolutely loved a family gathering. There was never any need for a grandiose gesture. He cherished every little moment. If he had his cigar, a cordial and his closest relatives, my father was at this happiest. Life was a celebration and he was the master of ceremonies.
My father always found the humor in life. Dad had a constant smile and an infectious laugh. Sometimes, I feel we would crack-up more so at the sound of his boisterous laugh than what he was actually laughing at. And still, more importantly, Dad had the ability to laugh at himself; the mark of a true comedian.
In addition to all that has already been mentioned, my father had countless other redeeming qualities. He was a selfless man who was happy to pitch in and help anyone who was in need. He was a hard-working and versatile man who found a way to fix anything you put in front of him no matter how many tries it took to get it done perfectly. He was a creative and skillful craftsman who could build anything from a backyard deck to a flawless scale model of his father's old barbershop in Hoboken. He was an attentive provider, a steadfast friend and a profound teacher.
Dad, I learned from to you look for happiness in life wherever I could. That is a gift that has carried me through some dark times and I hope it stays with me now. I thank you for your unending love because it transcends the barriers of our two worlds and keeps you ever present with us. There are so many other things I could say and my mind races to find a way to encapsulate you as eloquently and efficiently as possible but there just aren't enough words. But, I can say that those who truly knew you could never ever forget you. And that is a testament to your character.
So, for all of what's been said and what's been left unsaid, I say now: “You're the best. You're the greatest. And, we love you, Dad. Always.”
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Doug Archibald
August 5, 2013
Maria,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Joe worked in my organization at Philips and was a major component of it's success. Joe often talked with me about his cars and, of course, the parts catalogues that went along with owning them. His sense of humor and laugh would make anyone's day. May he find eternal peace.
Maryanne Cicero
August 1, 2013
JOEY, MY BELOVED BROTHER
(A Sister's Memory)
By Maryanne Cicero, nee Lezza…July 28, 2013
Joey, my beloved brother
Loved to make us laugh, all the time
We knew when he was about to tell a good joke
His chuckle and goofy grin would be our sign
Here's a funny story, a cherished memory
Even though it's when my quick witted brother
Played a not so nice trick on me
When he confirmed we were safe and unharmed
After my family and I encountered a dangerous tornado.
He text me a line from The Wizard of Oz
“Hey Dorothy, where's Toto”?
Playing along I text back, “David needs a brain!”
“So we're off to see the Wizard!”
(At Disney World)
It was all in fun but I quickly regretted
So I begged, “But please don't tell him I said it”
My brother text back, “I'll never TEll”.
So instead he copied and pasted
right to my husband's cell!
“Thanks Mare” my husband said
Shocked and embarrassed I text “You traitor!”
He replied “Ha Ha, But I didn't TELL!
And anyway men have to stick together”.
When I got ill with the Whopping cough, I had to obey a rule
For my own good, I was not allowed in the kiddy pool.
My brother was 14 and I was five
Being the loving and concerned big brother,
He helped my Mom keep a watchful eye.
And then there was that time when I needed him most.
He rescued, fought, protected and defended my honor
and he didn't care at what cost.
And I know for certain
That I did him proud
Because he sure loved my family
Without a doubt.
My brother and I used to march in an Italian feast
Takes place every September in Hoboken
called La Madonna Dei Martiri
He and other young boys carried heavy religious statues
On wooden planks in the parade
It was an honored sacrifice and didn't care how much their shoulders ache
He made sure I marched in front of him
I carried flowers and wore a symbol of the Blessed Mother Mary called
“The Blue Cape”
My brother was born just minutes before New Year's Eve
Every year he looked forward to celebrating it with
Champagne, Silly String and Family.
But the festivities didn't end
without a shot of his infamous “43”.
Very much like our beloved Dad,
Joey had hard working and skillful hands.
He created a miniature display of Sabino's Barbershop
A pure labor of love and pride so grand.
My brother was courageous and strong
All throughout his terrible illness
And as a soldier in the Vietnam War
I will miss our happy times and sad,
The good ones and even the bad,
But I know my brother is up in Heaven
In peace and embracing our Dad.
And if anyone was to ask
“How many siblings do you have?
I will always reply,
Joey, my older brother in Heaven,
my younger sister, Bernadette and I
There will always be us three.
How could there not
With so many cherished memories?!
What more as a sister can I say, than other…
FOREVER GRATEFUL
NEVER FORGET
TRULY MISS
ALWAYS IN MY HEART
JOEY, MY BELOVED BROTHER
Maryanne Cicero
July 31, 2013
JOEY, MY BELOVED BROTHER
(A Sister's Memory)
By Maryanne Cicero, nee Lezza…July 28, 2013
Joey, my beloved brother
Loved to make us laugh, all the time
We knew when he was about to tell a good joke
His chuckle and goofy grin would be our sign
Here's a funny story, a cherished memory
Even though it's when my quick witted brother
Played a not so nice trick on me
When he confirmed we were safe and unharmed
After my family and I encountered a dangerous tornado.
He text me a line from The Wizard of Oz
“Hey Dorothy, where's Toto”?
Playing along I text back, “David needs a brain!”
“So we're off to see the Wizard!”
(At Disney World)
It was all in fun but I quickly regretted
So I begged, “But please don't tell him I said it”
My brother text back, “I'll never TEll”.
So instead he copied and pasted
right to my husband's cell!
“Thanks Mare” my husband said
Shocked and embarrassed I text “You traitor!”
He replied “Ha Ha, But I didn't TELL!
And anyway men have to stick together”.
When I got ill with the Whopping cough, I had to obey a rule
For my own good, I was not allowed in the kiddy pool.
My brother was 14 and I was five
Being the loving and concerned big brother,
He helped my Mom keep a watchful eye.
And then there was that time when I needed him most.
He rescued, fought, protected and defended my honor
and he didn't care at what cost.
And I know for certain
That I did him proud
Because he sure loved my family
Without a doubt.
My brother and I used to march in an Italian feast
Takes place every September in Hoboken
called La Madonna Dei Martiri
He and other young boys carried heavy religious statues
On wooden planks in the parade
It was an honored sacrifice and didn't care how much their shoulders ache
He made sure I marched in front of him
I carried flowers and wore a symbol of the Blessed Mother Mary called
“The Blue Cape”
My brother was born just minutes before New Year's Eve
Every year he looked forward to celebrating it with
Champagne, Silly String and Family.
But the festivities didn't end
without a shot of his infamous “43”.
Very much like our beloved Dad,
Joey had hard working and skillful hands.
He created a miniature display of Sabino's Barbershop
A pure labor of love and pride so grand.
My brother was courageous and strong
All throughout his terrible illness
And as a soldier in the Vietnam War
I will miss our happy times and sad,
The good ones and even the bad,
But I know my brother is up in Heaven
In peace and embracing our Dad.
And if anyone was to ask
“How many siblings do you have?
I will always reply,
Joey, my older brother in Heaven,
my younger sister, Bernadette and I
There will always be us three.
How could there not
With so many cherished memories?!
What more as a sister can I say, than other…
FOREVER GRATEFUL
NEVER FORGET
TRULY MISS
ALWAYS IN MY HEART
JOEY, MY BELOVED BROTHER
July 31, 2013
Maria, I am so sorry to hear about Joe's passing. I worked with him at Philips and recall him to have a great sense of humor. I also remember when little Joey came to work with him from time to time and helped us all with making copies and getting us coffee. Joe was always so proud of him. With our deepest sympathy, Fran & Steve Varnum
Bob & Maria Ferguson
Maria D'Onofrio-Ferguson
July 30, 2013
I worked with Joe at Philips for many years together, in East Rutherford, Hightstown and Somerset. I remember back in the days when one could smoke in the office, the great smell of his pipe tobacco (loved it!). He was a wonderful man. My condolences to your family.
July 30, 2013
Maria, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kim Mulligan
July 30, 2013
Maryann, David and Cicero family - we are so sorry for your loss. Even though we did not meet your brother, we can see in his eyes his sense of humor and love for life. Maryann, I see you in his eyes. We are praying for your family. Love, The Treleases
July 29, 2013
My dearest Joe, you were an incredible brother to Marianne & I, a wonderful uncle Pamela, James, Tommy, Natalie, Brian, Melissa & Jessica, an amazing son to Mommy & Daddy, and the most loving husband to Maria and father to Joey.
You had a great sense of humor, always a kid at heart. Laughed at his own jokes before anyone else did. Your laugher was loud and infectious.
Your family was everything. Whether it was a house full of people at the holidays, having us over to watch the Yankees or Giants and cursing at thee TV as if they could here him, or just hanging our the the backyard having coffee, a shot of 43 and a cigar. It didn't matter.....HE LOVED IT ALL.
These 15 months You fought a tough fight with courage and dignity. YOU ARE MY HERO.
I know you would want us to smile with we think of you and be remembered as a man who 1st and foremost adored his family unconditionally. Who loved his devotion to La Madonna and the Hoboken Feast as you continued Daddy's tradition, and who always lived his life to the fullest.
Joe I will celebrate your life. I will miss your physical presence, and how you would finish each others sentences, but you will live in my heart for eternity. Till we meet again.
I LOVE YOU, your baby sister Bernadette
Maryann and Family Cicero
July 29, 2013
My brother was courageous and strong
All throughout his terrible sickness
And as a soldier in the Vietnam War
I will miss our happy times and sad,
The good ones and even the bad,
But I know my brother is up in Heaven
In peace and embracing our Dad.
FOREVER GRATEFUL
NEVER FORGET
TRULY MISS
ALWAYS IN MY HEART
JOEY, MY BELOVED BROTHER
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