Antonino Focella

Dr. Antonino Focella, age 97 of Wayne, died peacefully on Sunday, January 16, 2022. He’s lived in Wayne since 1989.

Antonino had been employed by Hoffmann-LaRoche in Nutley for nearly thirty-three years before retiring. He enjoyed a storied career there, including a great deal of world travel to various company locations. Prior to his career at Hoffmann-LaRoche, he had been a chemist with Pepsi, Co.

Antonino was born in Baucina Palermo, Sicily. All throughout his school years, his teachers noticed that he was exceptionally bright and encouraged his parents to send him to college. History had other plans, however, and Antonino found himself in the Italian Army, serving as a Carabinieri. Fortunately for him, the war ended soon after he joined and he was able to return home. He began attending classes at the University of Palermo, and went onto earn his Doctorate in Chemistry. All the time that he was studying, he also had his eye on a beautiful girl who lived across the street; Maria Cannizzaro. As tradition dictated at that time, Antonino’s father went to Maria’s home and asked if his son could court their daughter. With her parent’s blessing, and a few dates (all with chaperones), their love blossomed. They were married at the cathedral in Baucina in 1955, followed by a wonderful honeymoon to Rome, Venice, Padua, and several other Italian destinations. Upon their return, plans to move to America were put into action. Maria already had U.S. citizenship, so she came to Hoboken, NJ and sent for Antonino. He arrived a few months later and their life here so began. They lived in Hoboken for about six years before moving to Clifton in 1962. In 1989, they move to Wayne and have lived there ever since. Together, they enjoyed traveling and had visited family in Sicily many times. They even cruised from New York to Palermo on the SS Leonardo da Vinci in the 1960’s.

Antonino learned to hunt as a boy, and he continued to hunt birds and rabbits here in America. He was a member of the Gardener Rod and Gun Club in New York State, and was passionate about his hunting dogs. He was especially fond of his Brittany Spaniels. He also enjoyed gardening, which is almost a cultural requirement, and he was very proud of his vegetable garden. “Sunday drives” were a favorite of his; each Sunday they would attend mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church, then go for a drive up into the country. Antonino was happiest when his grandchildren were around. They all called him “Nonno,” and they would often have sleepovers at his house on the weekends. He would always wake them up early in the morning, much to their disapproval, but they loved spending time with him as much as he did with them. They will all miss him dearly.

Antonino is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-seven years; Maria (nee Cannizzaro) of Wayne, four children; Dr. Salvatore and his wife Francesca of Little Falls, Dr. Joseph and his wife Susanna of Padua, Italy, Rita Pedraza of Clifton, and Anthony and his wife Rachel of Newtown, PA, and ten grandchildren; Alessandra, Carolina, Luca, and Luisa Focella of Little Falls, Samantha and Steven Pedraza of Clifton, Lucia and Antonio Focella of Padua, Italy, and Alessandro and Nicholas Focella of Newtown, PA, and one sister; Josephine Cannizzaro of Jersey City, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Antonino’s name would be greatly appreciated to The Orphanage of St. Antonio.  In memory - Rogazionisti di Padova (rogazionistipadova.it)