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October 27, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family at Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church, 630 Valley Road on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
A Funeral Mass will immediately follow visiting in the church and begin at 12:30 PM.
Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.
Joseph Peter Cabrelli, age 93 of Monroe Township and a former longtime resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27, 2023.
Here is a short story of a very kind man who was a gentle giant, with a good nature and a welcome sense of humor.
Joe was born in Philadelphia and lived for a short time in California. He moved to Wayne in 1976.
Joe received his formal education at Saint Thomas More High School in Philadelphia, graduating with the Class of 1948. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania, at the evening division of The Wharton School of Business where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with the Class of 1952.
Joe joined the U.S. Army and, after basic training, he was offered many options including Officer Candidate School, paratrooper, or a special language school that the Army had in Monterey, California. Because of his intellect and innate talents as an individual, he was encouraged to go to the Army Language School in Monterey. His language of choice was Polish and he spoke it fluently. He had a very enlightening and enjoyable military experience and was honorably discharged in 1955.
After his Army service, he was employed at Gimbel Brothers Department Store where his abilities were recognized and he rose to be Senior Vice President of Gimbel’s flagship store in Philadelphia. Later, Joe took a job at a department store in California only to return to Philadelphia after three years and resume his position at Gimbel’s in Philadelphia. He later became Senior Vice President of Orbach’s Department Store in New York City. Joe was also President of the Metropolitan New York Credit Association.
He met Loretta Helmuth who was a secretary at Gimbel’s Department Store and they married on August 30, 1974. They have had 49 years of warm, caring, and loving marriage together. Joe and Loretta loved to travel and they made many trips to Europe to experience the beautiful cultures that exist there.
His family history is interesting as he was the first generation of his family born in America. His father and mother were born in Tuscany, Italy. The economic climate for living and advancing to a better life was not in place. His father had a sister who immigrated to Scotland and spoke of good opportunities there. At that time in history, people living in Italy were immigrating either to Argentina or America and, at age fifteen his father chose America. San Francisco was advertised as the best place to go but his father had difficulties finding work. Joe’s father then moved to Philadelphia and became a talented chef. His work days were twelve and fourteen hour days, seven days a week, never missing a day of work. This work ethic rubbed off on his sons who, in their personal lives pursued the same kind of ambitious life style which made them successful in life.
Joe had a special bearing about him of the kind of person who could get things done at whatever he endeavored to do. His father’s work ethic rubbed off on Joe and even as a youngster his paper route was huge! Most boys were minimalists as to the size of their route. Joe excelled as a paper boy and he had over one hundred thirty customers. He even had a strategy that helped him to throw the papers on the porch of his customers with aplomb. His work ethic did not let him take days off and efficiency was always built into his mode of operation.
Joe was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church in Wayne and he was an active member of the community. He was a member of a volunteer teaching group at the Wayne Library, teaching people English as a second language, and provided weekly lectures on a variety of topics to the Four Seasons community in Wayne. Joe also was a leading member of the Wayne Mayor's Senior Advisory Council.
Surviving are Joe’s loving wife Loretta, two daughters: Denise and husband Nicholas Lepore of Monroe, and Jacqueline and husband Victor Ricci of Freehold; five adoring grandchildren: Marisa and husband Frank DeBiase, Dr. Nicholas Lepore, Tyler Lepore, Gabrielle and husband Joseph Siragusa , and Dominick Ricci; four cherished great-grandchildren: Juliana and Emilia DeBiase, and Joseph and Gianna Siragusa; and two sister-in-laws: Marie Cabrelli of Drexel Hill, PA, Rita and her husband Joe Barnitz of Fort Myers, FL,
Joe was predeceased by five brothers: Joseph who passed away at age four, before Joe was born, Andrew, Frank, James, and Peter Cabrelli; and one sister: Vonda Lallo.
Joe always said, "My life was ahead of my dreams." He will be very missed.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Joseph’s name are asked to consider:
Covenant House
460 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036-6801
Covenant House’s mission is to inspire homeless and at-risk young people to move to safe, stable, and loving places where they can continue to live out their life dreams. In short, they strive to help each young person find “safe places” in their lives.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church, 630 Valley Road on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
A Funeral Mass will immediately follow visiting in the church and begin at 12:30 PM.
Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.
October 27, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family at Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church, 630 Valley Road on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
A Funeral Mass will immediately follow visiting in the church and begin at 12:30 PM.
Entombment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa.
Joseph Peter Cabrelli, age 93 of Monroe Township and a former longtime resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27, 2023.
Here is a short story of a very kind man who was a gentle giant, with a good nature and a welcome sense of humor.
Joe was born in Philadelphia and lived for a short time in California. He moved to Wayne in 1976.
Joe received his formal education at Saint Thomas More High School in Philadelphia, graduating with the Class of 1948. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania, at the evening division of The Wharton School of Business where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with the Class of 1952.
Joe joined the U.S. Army and, after basic training, he was offered many options including Officer Candidate School, paratrooper, or a special language school that the Army had in Monterey, California. Because of his intellect and innate talents as an individual, he was encouraged to go to the Army Language School in Monterey. His language of choice was Polish and he spoke it fluently. He had a very enlightening and enjoyable military experience and was honorably discharged in 1955.
After his Army service, he was employed at Gimbel Brothers Department Store where his abilities were recognized and he rose to be Senior Vice President of Gimbel’s flagship store in Philadelphia. Later, Joe took a job at a department store in California only to return to Philadelphia after three years and resume his position at Gimbel’s in Philadelphia. He later became Senior Vice President of Orbach’s Department Store in New York City. Joe was also President of the Metropolitan New York Credit Association.
He met Loretta Helmuth who was a secretary at Gimbel’s Department Store and they married on August 30, 1974. They have had 49 years of warm, caring, and loving marriage together. Joe and Loretta loved to travel and they made many trips to Europe to experience the beautiful cultures that exist there.
His family history is interesting as he was the first generation of his family born in America. His father and mother were born in Tuscany, Italy. The economic climate for living and advancing to a better life was not in place. His father had a sister who immigrated to Scotland and spoke of good opportunities there. At that time in history, people living in Italy were immigrating either to Argentina or America and, at age fifteen his father chose America. San Francisco was advertised as the best place to go but his father had difficulties finding work. Joe’s father then moved to Philadelphia and became a talented chef. His work days were twelve and fourteen hour days, seven days a week, never missing a day of work. This work ethic rubbed off on his sons who, in their personal lives pursued the same kind of ambitious life style which made them successful in life.
Joe had a special bearing about him of the kind of person who could get things done at whatever he endeavored to do. His father’s work ethic rubbed off on Joe and even as a youngster his paper route was huge! Most boys were minimalists as to the size of their route. Joe excelled as a paper boy and he had over one hundred thirty customers. He even had a strategy that helped him to throw the papers on the porch of his customers with aplomb. His work ethic did not let him take days off and efficiency was always built into his mode of operation.
Joe was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church in Wayne and he was an active member of the community. He was a member of a volunteer teaching group at the Wayne Library, teaching people English as a second language, and provided weekly lectures on a variety of topics to the Four Seasons community in Wayne. Joe also was a leading member of the Wayne Mayor's Senior Advisory Council.
Surviving are Joe’s loving wife Loretta, two daughters: Denise and husband Nicholas Lepore of Monroe, and Jacqueline and husband Victor Ricci of Freehold; five adoring grandchildren: Marisa and husband Frank DeBiase, Dr. Nicholas Lepore, Tyler Lepore, Gabrielle and husband Joseph Siragusa , and Dominick Ricci; four cherished great-grandchildren: Juliana and Emilia DeBiase, and Joseph and Gianna Siragusa; and two sister-in-laws: Marie Cabrelli of Drexel Hill, PA, Rita and her husband Joe Barnitz of Fort Myers, FL,
Joe was predeceased by five brothers: Joseph who passed away at age four, before Joe was born, Andrew, Frank, James, and Peter Cabrelli; and one sister: Vonda Lallo.
Joe always said, "My life was ahead of my dreams." He will be very missed.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Joseph’s name are asked to consider:
Covenant House
460 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036-6801
Covenant House’s mission is to inspire homeless and at-risk young people to move to safe, stable, and loving places where they can continue to live out their life dreams. In short, they strive to help each young person find “safe places” in their lives.
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