Joseph Schiavo Sr.

Joseph Schiavo Sr.

AGE: 76 • Port Reading, Piscataway & New Smyrna Beach, FL

Joseph Schiavo Sr., 76, died peacefully after several long illnesses on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014 at the Florida Shores Assisted Living Facility, Inc., Edgewater, FL. He was born on March 4, 1938 in Perth Amboy to the late Jacob & Felicia (D'Apolito) Schiavo. He grew up in Port Reading & graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1956 where he was a drummer in the marching band & a star football player for the Barons under mentoring coach Nicholas Priscoe. A veteran of the U.S. Navy he followed in his father's footsteps & became an electrician. In 1961 he married the girl of his dreams, Patricia Anne Franz of Carteret. Together they had 3 children. In 1969 they moved to Piscataway & raised their family in the house that he built; he would go on to build 3 more homes in his life-time. After 28 years he retired a foreman of the IBEW, Local 358, Convery Blvd., Perth Amboy. In 1986 after many years of becoming avid travelers, Joe & Pat decided to retire to Florida following her parent's decision to relocate there as well. Up until recently they lived as "snow-birds," spending their year partly in NJ, along with their foreign travels. Joe was an exceptionally proud Italian of his heritage & his descendants; he always had a story, especially about his grandparents coming of age. He was an old-fashioned, hard-working handy man of his time. To show his love for his family he was a saver & a provider. His greatest pride was his 4 grandchildren. Joe loved good food & Italian pastries, listening to 50's & Italian music, nice cars, watching CNN & MSNBC, the History & Discovery channels, his many family road trips up & down I-95 & vacations around the country & the world. He had a genuine passion for politics & the gift of being a great conversationalist…A real stand-up guy with high morals & family values.

Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Patricia of New Smyrna Beach FL; daughter, Janice Piegaro & her husband Joseph Jr. of East Brunswick; sons, Joseph Schiavo Jr. & his wife Lorraine of Branchburg & Patrick Schiavo & his wife Wendy of DeLand, FL; his grandchildren, Jenna Leigh & Jo-Jo Piegaro & Rena & Gwendolyn Schiavo; a brother, Jay Schiavo & his husband Ron Tate of DE; his father-in-law, Donald Franz also of New Smyrna Beach; brother-in-law, Ron Franz & his wife Linda of Manalapan; niece, Dr. Stacey Franz Black of Jackson; 3 God-children, nephew, Matthew Franz of Boonton, Mary Kelly of Avenel & Ruth Grondin of Forked River; also an Aunt Catherine Grondin & her husband Neal of Clark & his special cousin, Josephine Russo & her husband Ralph of Edison & many relatives & good friends. He will be missed by all.

A Memorial mass took place on August 19, 2014 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Cremation was private. Another Memorial Mass will be offered this Saturday, October 18th, 2014 at 11 am at the St. Anthony of the Padua Parish, 436 Port Reading Ave., Port Reading. In lieu of flowers please support the Veteran's/American Diabetes & Heart Associations.