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February 8, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 5-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 9 AM on Wednesday from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley R C Church, Wayne, where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Montclair, NJ.
Age 89 of Wayne, died peacefully with his family at his bedside on Saturday, February 8, 2014.
Chances are if you’ve come to this web-site to read this obituary, you’re a friend or relative of our family. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and for your love and support throughout the years. Our Dad, Eugene, “Gene” Blewitt, was a simple man. His guiding principles were found in the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. These teachings were his playbook for life. He studied them, knew them inside and out and did his best to live by them. These principles were the foundation of every decision he made
Dad would not have been comfortable with someone writing his obituary. He also would not have been comfortable writing his own. But, if he had a choice between the two, he just might have chosen to write his own. With this in mind, here’s how it may have read:
I was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1925. That was a long time ago, but it feels like yesterday. I had two loving, hard working parents, two terrific brothers and three wonderful sisters. My parents died many years ago and somehow I’ve outlived all my siblings. I can’t wait to see them. I just need to get past this interview with Saint Peter.
After high school, I went to technical school for a little while, but WWII was in full swing, so eventually I found my way into the Army Air Corps. I became a bombardier, which was a lot of fun, but it was serious stuff. A week or so before I was to be shipped off to combat, the war ended and I was discharged soon after. It was on to the next stage of life.
I headed to NJ for college. I was happy at Seton Hall and even had a stint as a DJ on the college radio station. Without a doubt, the best thing to come from this part of my life was meeting my future bride, Jean O’Connell. We were set up on a blind date. I was smitten and, I’m not sure why, but she must have seen something in me as well. We never looked back and this was the beginning of a 62 year love affair. We were married in 1949 and quickly started a family.
Mary Ann was our first born, followed by Christine, Kevin, Virginia, Ellen, Dan, Laura, Mike, Maureen, Joe, Katie and Monica. If you go back and count, this adds up to 12 children. Unfortunately, God brought two of our children home early. Monica died at birth and we lost Christine about five years ago.
People often asked me how I was able to provide for all of these kids. To be honest, I have no idea. I was a salesman and I left the house every day asking God to help me find a way, and He did just that. Amazingly enough, every year there was even a little money left over for a summer vacation. We had annual trips to the Jersey shore or lake houses in the mountains. These were really special times for me and I hope the same was true for the rest of the family.
There are two small achievements I’m most proud of in my life; founding the Queen of Peace Prayer Group and opening the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of the Valley in Wayne. Both would not have been possible without my wife, Jean. We also spent many years working with the NJ Right to Life organization advocating for the rights of the unborn. This was very important to us and I hope their cause will prevail.
I was so blessed to have Jean at my side. She was the bedrock of our family. Nothing fazed her. She was dedicated to Our Lady and her faith was truly remarkable. I loved her with all my heart and I did my best to make her happy. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without her. Actually, I guess I can imagine, since she left this world three years ahead of me. Life just wasn’t the same without her. Sure, I had lots of loved ones around me and I am thankful for this, but my heart was empty and I couldn’t wait to be with her again. This is just one reason not to be sad at this time. Actually, I’m overjoyed. One quick thought though, I always told my kids not to assume anyone who died went straight to heaven. When you have a chance, please say a prayer for me, but only if you also pray for all departed souls.
If you happen to get out to the cemetery, you may notice our grave markers are kind of small. This was a conscious decision. This life is not about us, our accomplishments or the things we acquire. Instead it’s about doing what we can to make God happy and to follow his commandments. I wish I could have done better and I wish I didn’t occasionally rub some people the wrong way, but I’m hopeful God knows I tried. I’m even more hopeful I fulfilled my obligation to pass down some of the things I learned along the way.
Before I sign off, I’d like to reach out to my entire family of daughters, sons, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc., including those who’ve gone before me and those who still remain. I love all of you and I thank you for being part of my life. It has been my honor to be the patriarch of this family and I look forward to seeing you all again.
For the record, here’s a quick rundown of the family tree.
Children: Katie Buononato and her husband Blase of Wayne, Joe Blewitt and his wife Racie of Stewartsville, Maureen Mullin and her husband Rick of Caldwell, Mike Blewitt and his wife Christina of East Patchogue, NY, Laura Smelski and her husband Tom of Syracuse, NY, Dan Blewitt and his wife Ofie of Lincoln Park, Ellen Vigilante and her husband Jim of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Virginia Guinness and her husband Ed of Webster Groves, MO, Kevin Blewitt and his wife Patty of Wayne, Mary Ann DiGiaimo and her husband Chuck of Pompton Plains, son-in-law, Tony D’Apolito of Morristown; Grandchildren: Rebecca Cardone, Jessica Tyminski, Mike and Sarah DiGiaimo; Patrick and Nicholas Blewitt; Erin Stratton, Robert and Joe Guinness; Brian, Charlie, Billy, and Johnny Vigilante; Timmy, Matt and Chris Blewitt; Josh Morrelli, Katrina Hinke, Emily, Maggie, and Lydia Mullin; Kelly and LuLu Blewitt; Monica, Tommy, and Dominic Buononato; and nine great-grandchildren. Predeceased by two daughters, Monica Blewitt and Christine D’Apolito, one granddaughter Andrea Morelli, two brothers, John and Frank Blewitt, and three sisters, Peggy Kelly, Betty London and Helen Blewitt.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to NJ Right to Life, 242 Old New Brunswick Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854 would be appreciated.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 5-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 9 AM on Wednesday from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley R C Church, Wayne, where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Montclair, NJ.
February 8, 2014
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 5-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 9 AM on Wednesday from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley R C Church, Wayne, where at 10 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Montclair, NJ.
Age 89 of Wayne, died peacefully with his family at his bedside on Saturday, February 8, 2014.
Chances are if you’ve come to this web-site to read this obituary, you’re a friend or relative of our family. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and for your love and support throughout the years. Our Dad, Eugene, “Gene” Blewitt, was a simple man. His guiding principles were found in the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. These teachings were his playbook for life. He studied them, knew them inside and out and did his best to live by them. These principles were the foundation of every decision he made
Dad would not have been comfortable with someone writing his obituary. He also would not have been comfortable writing his own. But, if he had a choice between the two, he just might have chosen to write his own. With this in mind, here’s how it may have read:
I was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1925. That was a long time ago, but it feels like yesterday. I had two loving, hard working parents, two terrific brothers and three wonderful sisters. My parents died many years ago and somehow I’ve outlived all my siblings. I can’t wait to see them. I just need to get past this interview with Saint Peter.
After high school, I went to technical school for a little while, but WWII was in full swing, so eventually I found my way into the Army Air Corps. I became a bombardier, which was a lot of fun, but it was serious stuff. A week or so before I was to be shipped off to combat, the war ended and I was discharged soon after. It was on to the next stage of life.
I headed to NJ for college. I was happy at Seton Hall and even had a stint as a DJ on the college radio station. Without a doubt, the best thing to come from this part of my life was meeting my future bride, Jean O’Connell. We were set up on a blind date. I was smitten and, I’m not sure why, but she must have seen something in me as well. We never looked back and this was the beginning of a 62 year love affair. We were married in 1949 and quickly started a family.
Mary Ann was our first born, followed by Christine, Kevin, Virginia, Ellen, Dan, Laura, Mike, Maureen, Joe, Katie and Monica. If you go back and count, this adds up to 12 children. Unfortunately, God brought two of our children home early. Monica died at birth and we lost Christine about five years ago.
People often asked me how I was able to provide for all of these kids. To be honest, I have no idea. I was a salesman and I left the house every day asking God to help me find a way, and He did just that. Amazingly enough, every year there was even a little money left over for a summer vacation. We had annual trips to the Jersey shore or lake houses in the mountains. These were really special times for me and I hope the same was true for the rest of the family.
There are two small achievements I’m most proud of in my life; founding the Queen of Peace Prayer Group and opening the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of the Valley in Wayne. Both would not have been possible without my wife, Jean. We also spent many years working with the NJ Right to Life organization advocating for the rights of the unborn. This was very important to us and I hope their cause will prevail.
I was so blessed to have Jean at my side. She was the bedrock of our family. Nothing fazed her. She was dedicated to Our Lady and her faith was truly remarkable. I loved her with all my heart and I did my best to make her happy. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without her. Actually, I guess I can imagine, since she left this world three years ahead of me. Life just wasn’t the same without her. Sure, I had lots of loved ones around me and I am thankful for this, but my heart was empty and I couldn’t wait to be with her again. This is just one reason not to be sad at this time. Actually, I’m overjoyed. One quick thought though, I always told my kids not to assume anyone who died went straight to heaven. When you have a chance, please say a prayer for me, but only if you also pray for all departed souls.
If you happen to get out to the cemetery, you may notice our grave markers are kind of small. This was a conscious decision. This life is not about us, our accomplishments or the things we acquire. Instead it’s about doing what we can to make God happy and to follow his commandments. I wish I could have done better and I wish I didn’t occasionally rub some people the wrong way, but I’m hopeful God knows I tried. I’m even more hopeful I fulfilled my obligation to pass down some of the things I learned along the way.
Before I sign off, I’d like to reach out to my entire family of daughters, sons, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc., including those who’ve gone before me and those who still remain. I love all of you and I thank you for being part of my life. It has been my honor to be the patriarch of this family and I look forward to seeing you all again.
For the record, here’s a quick rundown of the family tree.
Children: Katie Buononato and her husband Blase of Wayne, Joe Blewitt and his wife Racie of Stewartsville, Maureen Mullin and her husband Rick of Caldwell, Mike Blewitt and his wife Christina of East Patchogue, NY, Laura Smelski and her husband Tom of Syracuse, NY, Dan Blewitt and his wife Ofie of Lincoln Park, Ellen Vigilante and her husband Jim of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Virginia Guinness and her husband Ed of Webster Groves, MO, Kevin Blewitt and his wife Patty of Wayne, Mary Ann DiGiaimo and her husband Chuck of Pompton Plains, son-in-law, Tony D’Apolito of Morristown; Grandchildren: Rebecca Cardone, Jessica Tyminski, Mike and Sarah DiGiaimo; Patrick and Nicholas Blewitt; Erin Stratton, Robert and Joe Guinness; Brian, Charlie, Billy, and Johnny Vigilante; Timmy, Matt and Chris Blewitt; Josh Morrelli, Katrina Hinke, Emily, Maggie, and Lydia Mullin; Kelly and LuLu Blewitt; Monica, Tommy, and Dominic Buononato; and nine great-grandchildren. Predeceased by two daughters, Monica Blewitt and Christine D’Apolito, one granddaughter Andrea Morelli, two brothers, John and Frank Blewitt, and three sisters, Peggy Kelly, Betty London and Helen Blewitt.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to NJ Right to Life, 242 Old New Brunswick Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854 would be appreciated.
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