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October 8, 2026
Services
Friends may visit Elaine’s family on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 4:00 PM in the funeral home.
Elaine “Lainie” Urgo, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved her dearly and countless memories of a woman whose life was defined by her faith, her devotion to family, and her thoughtfulness toward others.
Born and raised in Paterson, Elaine was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Ventrella) Cauda. She graduated from Central High School before continuing her education at Fairleigh Dickinson College in Teaneck, NJ. As fate would have it, on her very first day of college, in her very first class, she met Anthony John Urgo, the man she would eventually marry. Elaine earned her associate’s degree and went on to work as an executive secretary for the American Cyanamid Corporation in Wayne, NJ.
Elaine and Anthony married in 1964 and lived in Paterson before purchasing their home in Wayne in 1969, where Elaine remained for the rest of her life. When their three daughters came along, she left her career to embrace what she considered her most important job of all: being a mother. She devoted herself to raising her girls and making family the center of her world.
After her daughters were grown, Elaine returned to the workforce, joining her Uncle Al at his two pharmacies: Franklin Lakes Pharmacy in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and Michael’s Pharmacy in Totowa. From waiting on customers to handling the countless details that make a small business run successfully, she was an integral support for him until he eventually retired and sold the businesses.
In October 2000, Elaine’s life took a heartbreaking turn when Anthony passed away unexpectedly at age 58 while they were vacationing at Disney World. After thirty-six years of marriage, his loss was tremendous. Thirteen years later, in October 2013, Elaine experienced another devastating loss when her beloved daughter Dana succumbed to a three-year battle with breast cancer. The loss of a husband and then a daughter brought profound heartache, yet Elaine continued to draw strength from her faith and the family she cherished. In the years that followed, she poured her love and energy into her growing family. She embraced the arrival of her first grandchild and delighted in the four grandchildren who followed. She also lovingly cared for other people’s children, because everyone knew they could trust her completely.
And then, of course, there was Disney! Elaine was a fan in every sense of the word. She raised her children on Disney, named her dog Disney, and visited Disney World at least every other year beginning in 1972. One of her greatest joys in recent years was sharing the magic of Disney World with her grandchildren, experiencing a place she loved all over again through their eyes.
Elaine also had a special knack for making people feel remembered and loved. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, whether it belonged to a family member or friend. She always had extra greeting cards on hand—so many, in fact, that she could probably have opened her own Hallmark store! These thoughtful gestures were simply her way of letting people know they mattered.
The love Elaine so freely gave was rooted in her deep love for God. Even as a little girl, she would insist that her mother take her to Mass, and her Catholic faith remained foundational to how she approached life. She valued family above all, from her husband and daughters to her grandchildren, nieces, and cousins. Throughout her life, she did her best to keep everyone connected, understanding that family bonds were worth nurturing and preserving.
Elaine will be remembered for her deep faith, devotion to family, generous heart, and the many thoughtful ways she made others feel loved.
Elaine was the loving wife of Anthony, with whom she shared thirty-six blessed years of marriage until his unexpected passing in October 2000. She was the most loving and devoted mother of Michele Cassidy and her husband, John, of Frederick, MD; Danielle Lamothe and her husband, Jamie, of Newfoundland; and the late Dana Smith, who passed away in October 2013, and her husband, Brad, of Wayne. She was the adoring grandmother of Sydney, Nicholas, Taylor and Caroline. She was the dear sister of Ron Cauda of Venice, FL, the dearest aunt to her two nieces, and devoted to her many close cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Elaine’s memory to one of the following worthy charities would be greatly appreciated:
American Cancer Society Care of: Relay for Life, Frederick County under Team Deaf Pinkies
Minette’s Angels Providing local and direct support for breast cancer patients and survivors
Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Elaine Urgo. Thank you!
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit Elaine’s family on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 4:00 PM in the funeral home.
October 9, 2026
October 8, 2026
Services
Friends may visit Elaine’s family on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, NJ. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 4:00 PM in the funeral home.
Elaine “Lainie” Urgo, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved her dearly and countless memories of a woman whose life was defined by her faith, her devotion to family, and her thoughtfulness toward others.
Born and raised in Paterson, Elaine was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Ventrella) Cauda. She graduated from Central High School before continuing her education at Fairleigh Dickinson College in Teaneck, NJ. As fate would have it, on her very first day of college, in her very first class, she met Anthony John Urgo, the man she would eventually marry. Elaine earned her associate’s degree and went on to work as an executive secretary for the American Cyanamid Corporation in Wayne, NJ.
Elaine and Anthony married in 1964 and lived in Paterson before purchasing their home in Wayne in 1969, where Elaine remained for the rest of her life. When their three daughters came along, she left her career to embrace what she considered her most important job of all: being a mother. She devoted herself to raising her girls and making family the center of her world.
After her daughters were grown, Elaine returned to the workforce, joining her Uncle Al at his two pharmacies: Franklin Lakes Pharmacy in Franklin Lakes, NJ, and Michael’s Pharmacy in Totowa. From waiting on customers to handling the countless details that make a small business run successfully, she was an integral support for him until he eventually retired and sold the businesses.
In October 2000, Elaine’s life took a heartbreaking turn when Anthony passed away unexpectedly at age 58 while they were vacationing at Disney World. After thirty-six years of marriage, his loss was tremendous. Thirteen years later, in October 2013, Elaine experienced another devastating loss when her beloved daughter Dana succumbed to a three-year battle with breast cancer. The loss of a husband and then a daughter brought profound heartache, yet Elaine continued to draw strength from her faith and the family she cherished. In the years that followed, she poured her love and energy into her growing family. She embraced the arrival of her first grandchild and delighted in the four grandchildren who followed. She also lovingly cared for other people’s children, because everyone knew they could trust her completely.
And then, of course, there was Disney! Elaine was a fan in every sense of the word. She raised her children on Disney, named her dog Disney, and visited Disney World at least every other year beginning in 1972. One of her greatest joys in recent years was sharing the magic of Disney World with her grandchildren, experiencing a place she loved all over again through their eyes.
Elaine also had a special knack for making people feel remembered and loved. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, whether it belonged to a family member or friend. She always had extra greeting cards on hand—so many, in fact, that she could probably have opened her own Hallmark store! These thoughtful gestures were simply her way of letting people know they mattered.
The love Elaine so freely gave was rooted in her deep love for God. Even as a little girl, she would insist that her mother take her to Mass, and her Catholic faith remained foundational to how she approached life. She valued family above all, from her husband and daughters to her grandchildren, nieces, and cousins. Throughout her life, she did her best to keep everyone connected, understanding that family bonds were worth nurturing and preserving.
Elaine will be remembered for her deep faith, devotion to family, generous heart, and the many thoughtful ways she made others feel loved.
Elaine was the loving wife of Anthony, with whom she shared thirty-six blessed years of marriage until his unexpected passing in October 2000. She was the most loving and devoted mother of Michele Cassidy and her husband, John, of Frederick, MD; Danielle Lamothe and her husband, Jamie, of Newfoundland; and the late Dana Smith, who passed away in October 2013, and her husband, Brad, of Wayne. She was the adoring grandmother of Sydney, Nicholas, Taylor and Caroline. She was the dear sister of Ron Cauda of Venice, FL, the dearest aunt to her two nieces, and devoted to her many close cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Elaine’s memory to one of the following worthy charities would be greatly appreciated:
American Cancer Society Care of: Relay for Life, Frederick County under Team Deaf Pinkies
Minette’s Angels Providing local and direct support for breast cancer patients and survivors
Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Elaine Urgo. Thank you!
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