Giuseppe “Joseph” Carrini

Giuseppe “Joseph” Carrini, age 83, of Kinnelon, NJ passed away peacefully on Friday November 18, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Giuseppe was born and raised in San Fratello, Sicily.  He was the oldest of three children to Giuseppe and Serafina Carrini.  Like many children Giuseppe’s age, he left school early to work on the family-owned farm.  There he worked alongside his family until 1967, when he emigrated to the United States of America in search of a better life and the “American Dream.”

Upon arriving in the United States, Giuseppe settled in Astoria, Queens.  Giuseppe found work quickly as a factory worker.  In 1970 he accepted a position in the construction department at AT&T.  Verizon eventually took over the outfit, but Giuseppe remained at the company becoming a Fiber Optic Technician.  Giuseppe’s career with Verizon spanned a period of thirty-one years until his retirement in 2001.  Giuseppe was in New York City on September 12, 2001 to re-establish phone lines after the September 11th attacks at the World Trade Center.  Helping his country rebuild and recuperate from the tragic events of 9/11 was something that Giuseppe was truly proud.

After his retirement, Giuseppe’s outstanding work ethic encouraged him to secure a position with the Paramus Board of Education as a School Bus Driver for disabled children.  Giuseppe happily held the position for over ten years.

In 1968, shortly after emigrating to the United States, Giuseppe’s cousin Alfio introduced him to a young attractive lady who was studying English as a second language.  Her name was Maria Enea. They fell in love and on December 14, 1969 they became husband and wife.

The newlyweds settled in Queens and welcomed two sons, Anthony, and Frank.  They called Queens their home for the next thirty years until moving to New Jersey in 2003. Giuseppe loved to spend his free time gardening, growing vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes, string beans, and had a fig tree imported from Sicily in his backyard.  Along with gardening, Giuseppe treasured making his own wine, tomato sauce and fresh ricotta for his family.

Giuseppe had a talent for storytelling and could easily capture an audience with his tales of the “the old country” or stories about his work. He loved watching and talking about movies.   He treasured surfing the internet on his laptop and searched YouTube for Italian singers.  He was truly proud of his Sicilian heritage and his hometown of San Fratello.  Growing up in San Fratello, there was an annual feast for San Benedetto.  In 2018, Giuseppe was fortunate to travel back to San Fratello, Sicily and attend the feast that year.

Aside from all of Giuseppe’s talents, hobbies and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Giuseppe than spending time with and providing for his family.  He and his wife Maria cherished fifty-three years of loving and loyal marriage. Giuseppe would create any excuse to get his family together so that he would be able to be close to his family.

Giuseppe was also dedicated to his Catholic faith.  He and his family are parishioners of Our Lady of Magnificat in Kinnelon for many years.  Giuseppe was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him

Giuseppe is survived by his wife Maria (nee Enea) of Kinnelon, two sons; Anthony Carrini and his wife Christina (née Graziano) of Kinnelon, NJ, and Frank Carrini and his wife Arlene (née Antunes) of Cedar Grove, NJ, Also, two sisters; Benedetta Pernice and her husband Salvatore of Paramus, NJ, and Serafina Vasi and her husband Bernardo of Eatontown, NJ, and may nieces, nephews, and godchildren.  Giuseppe was predeceased by his grandson Sabastian Carrini in 2014.