Innocenza Pugliano

Innocenza Pugliano was a gift to all who knew her.  She left us on February 22, 2023 at the age of 89, surrounded by her loving family.  

Born on September 5, 1933 in Calabria Italy to her parents Carmela and Vincenzo Buffone, she lived a long, beautiful life rich with family, tradition, love, and joy. She was the oldest of four children, her sisters Maria Zaffina and Grace Matarazzo and her brother Pietro Buffone whom she loved and adored.  In fact Innocenza and her sister Maria were inseparable through her final days, as they lived just 3 doors away from each other and are widely known as “The Sopresata Sisters.”

Innocenza married the handsome and charismatic Giuseppe Pugliano in 1950, and they had their oldest daughter, Carmela (Gaeta), before moving to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada in 1954.  It was in Thunder Bay they completed their family with their daughter Nancy (Corrado), and their son Anthony.  The Pugliano family moved to Paterson, NJ in 1961 where they planted strong roots with family and friends who joined them.  

Once Giuseppe and Innocenza left Paterson, they moved to Little Falls where they would live the duration of their lives on the same street as so many of their family members.  This unique living situation set the foundation for countless memories over the course of decades. For quite some time, 4 generations of women of this special family lived together on that one street.

Innocenza raised her family with strong core values and always emphasized the importance of togetherness.  She made sure that all her family friends knew just how much she loved and cared for them.  Innocenza did this through hosting gatherings, cooking her delicious food, creating knitted and crocheted masterpieces, sharing genuine words, and giving the best hugs and kisses.  If you received a homemade sopresata or a jar of her cured olives or tomato sauce, you knew that you were among the most special to her.  This is how she expressed her love–by giving a piece of her heart and soul through her food.  Innocenza knew that it brought people joy, and she lived to spread joy. 

Among the luckiest recipients of her love and meals are her sons-in-law, Gerardo Gaeta and Gerald Corrado, Sr. and her daughter-in-law, Dana Pugliano (nee DeMuth).  She loved each of them as her own.

Innocenza leaves the most permanent mark on her grandchildren.  She had a huge hand in raising all of them, making each one feel as though they were her most favorite.  The truth is, however, she loved them all with no bounds.  She was and will forever remain their “Honeydew.”

Her (soon-to-be) 16 great-grandchildren are her greatest legacy.  What a blessing it has been to make such cherished memories with their Nonna.  

Innocenza also adored her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grandnieces.  Her love, generosity, and genuine care pervaded her entire large family, both near and far.  It wasn’t unusual for Innocenza to be on the phone with relatives from Italy, Australia, Canada, and more. 

Innocenza will be profoundly missed by the countless people who knew and loved her.  She is someone who wished well for all.  She was always happy to see you.  She made everyone feel special because everyone was special to her.  Everyone loved her because she selflessly gave love in all that she said, did, and cooked.  Her kisses were endless; her smile was like sunshine; her laughter was like music.  The closeness of her family was her top priority, and the legacy she leaves behind will be dedicated to keeping Innocenza’s memory alive through love, laughter, cooking, and togetherness. 
Innocenza is survived by:

Her sister, Maria Zaffina of Little Falls, NJ. 

Her three children:  Carmela Gaeta and her husband Gerardo of Little Falls, NJ; Nancy Corrado and her husband Gerald, Sr. of Franklin Lakes, NJ; Anthony Pugliano and his wife Dana of Oak Ridge, NJ.

Her nine grandchildren: Jenna Lynch (nee Gaeta) and her husband Peter, Sr. of Wayne, NJ; Gerald Corrado, Jr. and his wife Janel of Franklin Lakes, NJ; Elisa Gatto (nee Gaeta) and her husband Richard of Franklin Lakes, NJ; Paul Corrado, Sr.  and his wife Renee of Franklin Lakes, NJ; Anthony Corrado and his wife Christina of Franklin Lakes, NJ; Cristina Schneider (nee Gaeta) and her husband Andrew, Sr. of Wyckoff, NJ; Joseph Pugliano, Daniel Pugliano, and Madeline Pugliano of Oak Ridge, NJ. 

Her soon-to-be 16 great-grandchildren: Peter, Jr. & Andrew Lynch; Delphine & Richard Gatto; Drew, Jr. & Nicholas Schneider; Caroline, Elizabeth, Gerald III, & Thomas Corrado; Paul, Jr., Catherine, AnnaLynne, & James Corrado; Evelyn & Grace Corrado.

Innocenza is predeceased by: her husband, Giuseppe Pugliano (1998); her sister Grace Matarazzo (2000); her brother, Pietro Buffone (1962).

For those wishing to make a donation in Innocenza's memory, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org.