Joseph Scrozzo

Joseph Scrozzo, age 74, of East Hanover, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday April 28, 2024, while in the presence of his loving family.

Joseph was the first-born son of Frank and Maddalena (Giaimo) Scrozzo. He was born in Palermo, Sicily. When he was just six years old, Joe immigrated with his family to the United States in their search for greater opportunities in America. Joe and his family found a home in South Paterson on Michigan Ave. Joe attended Eastside High School in Paterson, where he played catcher for the school’s baseball team. After graduating with the Class of 1968, he pursued higher education and earned an associate's degree in business administration.

Joe’s entire career was dedicated to working in the hospitality industry. For the past 18 years, he had been working at Ravello in East Hanover. Hospitality flowed from Joe’s heart which he demonstrated by tipping everyone. Affectionately known by many as “Papa Joe,” he consistently showed kindness and generosity to everyone he met.

Joe was a man with a huge heart and knew the definition of good living. To Joe, life didn’t get much better than enjoying Italian delicacies, a snifter of Rémy Martin, and a fine cigar enjoyed with good friends.

Joe loved sports cars, too. Having had about a dozen of them over the years, he knew a thing or two about Chevy Corvettes, his most recent being a silver 1998 model. Wherever he went, he could be heard listening to music by some of his favorite artists, including The Temptations, Four Seasons, and Engelbert Humperdinck. He got such a kick out of saying, “Hey Google! Play.....”

Joe’s heart was filled with love and pride for his Sicilian culture. Consequently, he never valued anything in life more than his family. He truly believed in family first. Joe was a loving and doting father; He was so proud of his daughters, Christina and Gabriella. Seeing Christina earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Montclair State University and becoming an SVU Detective. and Gabriella earning a Master’s Degree at Northwestern University and becoming a Licensed Therapist. This left Joe feeling so proud of his “little girls.”

Joe's health challenges over the past two years became quite a cross to bear. Yet through it all, he always did his best to maintain a sense of humor and find joy. He enjoyed watching the Price is Right and Guy Fieri’s cooking shows. He loved Guy Fieri and even said he would write him a letter to thank him for helping Joe regain his appetite.

Joseph is survived by his two loving daughters, Christina Medrano of Wayne and Gabriella Scrozzo of East Hanover, their mother Janette Dubenezic, and two precious granddaughters, Mia and Ava. His younger brother Salvatore Scrozzo and wife Kathy of Wimauma, Florida, dear cousins: Joey Brigati, Sal Brigati and wife Kelly and Robert Brigati, wife Lori, his Uncle Domenico, niece Danielle Oliva, husband Jason, nephew Salvatore Scrozzo, wife Tiffany, and three great-nephews. He was predeceased by his loving parents Frank and Maddalena (Giaimo) Scrozzo and his Aunt Marianna Brigati.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Joseph's name are asked to consider making a memorial gift to The American Cancer Society for Bone Metastases.