Antonio De Sapio

(Courier News)

ANTONIO DE SAPIO
AGE: 90 BAPTISTOWN
Antonio De Sapio, of Baptistown, NJ, former Kingwood Township Mayor and family patriarch, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Antonio was born in Monteforte Irpino (AV) Italia on May 23, 1919 to Gaetano and Maria (Renna) De Sapio. He immigrated to the United States in 1928 and soon thereafter settled on a farm in Baptistown where he resided for the remainder of his life. Gaetano worked as a longshoreman in New York City weekdays, which left Maria and her six children to tend the chickens, cows, grain and vineyards on their farm. Antonio had a love of sports, while attending Frenchtown High School he played soccer and was an amateur boxer in the Golden Gloves in Trenton. In 1941, Antonio met the love of his life, Alessandrina Carulli of Hoboken while selling eggs door-to-door. Antonio and Alessandrina were married on July 5, 1947 at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Hoboken.
Farming provided insufficient money to support all the members of the De Sapio family so Antonio, along with his brothers Martino and Salvatore decided to supplement their income by becoming building contractors, founding De Sapio Bros. Contractors and Builders. After constructing farm buildings they received their first contract to construct a public building - a new Roman Catholic Church for Baptistown - Our Lady of Victories. Shortly after the dedication of the Church, Antonio's eldest son, Gaetano, was the first child to be christened in the new church - a fact of which Antonio was forever proud. Antonio's and Alessandrina's family grew with the addition of James, Salvatore, Mary, Theresa, Martin, Sandria and Anthony, Jr. Today, Antonio's and Alessandrina's decedents include 23 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Antonio's and Martino's construction company grew to be one of the most highly respected firms in Northwest New Jersey working at over 150 schools in addition to numerous churches, post offices, commercial buildings, roads and bridges.
Antonio instilled in the "Famiglia De Sapio" a love of the Catholic faith and of our Italian Heritage. Antonio was a trustee of Our Lady of Victories and he was awarded the Diocese of Metuchen Regina Nostra Award in appreciation of his accomplishments for his Church. In 1979, Antonio was a founding member of the Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County, a club which today has over 160 members. Antonio and Alessandrina enjoyed their many trips to his birthplace in Monteforte and remained close to his relatives there. Antonio served the public as Township Committeeman in 1965, through 1967 and from 1987 through 1998 and Mayor of Kingwood Township in 1967, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1998. In addition, Antonio served on many of the Township's boards, including the Planning Board, the Parks Commission, the Board of Health and the Industrial Commission. He was instrumental in acquiring and developing the Kingwood Township Park and acquiring the current Kingwood Township Municipal Building. Antonio was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, the Kingwood Bocce Club, the Italian American Heritage Club, the Kingwood Township Fire Company and the Ridge Road Farmers Club. After Antonio's retirement from his construction business, he continued to enjoy his farm, raising elk, gardening, wine-making and tending his fig and nut trees. He loved to play bocce with his children and grandchildren and twice a week with the Kingwood Township Bocce Club. His bocce friends will greatly miss him.
Antonio is predeceased by his loving wife of 43 years, Alessandrina, his parents, Gaetano and Maria (Renna) De Sapio, his brothers Vincenzo, Salvatore and Martino De Sapio and his sisters, Sabata Vellan and Maria DeGenova. Antonio is survived by his children, Gaetano and Susan DeSapio of Union Township, James and Ellen De Sapio of Kingwood, Salvatore and Marianna De Sapio of Kingwood, Mary De Sapio of Kingwood, Theresa De Sapio of New Haven, CT, Martin and Cathleen De Sapio of Kingwood, Sandria De Sapio of Kingwood, Anthony Jr and Phyllis De Sapio of Kingwood, 23 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 20 nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are at the Robert L. Ford Funeral Home, 38 Route 31, Flemington on Monday, Aug 24th from 2 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM. A viewing will also be held on Tuesday, August 25th at Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church in Baptistown from 5 PM to 7:30 PM followed by a Prayer and Remembrance Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, August 26th at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Victories in Baptistown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Antonio's memory to Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church, the Kingwood Township Rescue Squad, the Kingwood Township Fire Company and the Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County Foundation. Please visit www.fordfuneralhome.com for further information or to send condolences.