Thomas A. Antonucci

Thomas A. Antonucci, age 78 of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2020.

Tom was born in Paterson and, soon moved to Wayne where he remained his entire life. He was a graduate of Wayne Valley High School with the Class of 1961. Coming from a long line of mason contractors in his family, it was no surprise that Tom chose this field of work for his own life’s occupation. He joined Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Local 4 (BAC) of Fairfield and enjoyed a career that spanned 43 years before retiring in 2004. After retiring, he worked for a short time as a building inspector in West Paterson.

Thomas was introduced, by the parish priest at Saint Michaels Church in Paterson, to a young woman named Rosa Iacono. They were married on September 19, 1971 at Saint Michaels Church and honeymooned in Jamaica. Tom and Rosa were inseparable. They were truly always there for each other, loved their trips to Italy as well as traveling all over Europe and going out to dinner with family and friends, and enjoyed trips to Atlantic City together. They lovingly were blessed with forty-six years of devoted marriage, living all those years in Wayne where they raised their three beautiful daughters. Sadly, Rosa passed away in June, 2017.

One of Tom’s favorite pastimes was getting away to the cabin in New York State that had been in his family for many years. When he and Rosa’s girls were growing up, they enjoyed many family vacations there and, in colder months, Tom would go upstate to fish and hunt deer. One year he even got a bobcat! He was a great hunter so there was always a good supply of venison in the freezer. This worked out real well because one of Tom’s other favorite hobbies was cooking and barbequing. Everyone loved Tom’s venison stew, and Italian recipes were his favorites. He also made some pretty tasty Pasta Fazool (Faggioli).

Tom was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes and earlier at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where he especially enjoyed singing in the church’s choir. He was also a member of the Italian American Club in Totowa.

Tom will be remembered for his outgoing, fun-loving nature. He had a great sense of humor and because he liked showing his silly side, he was affectionately nicknamed “Yappy” and “Yappo”. Most of all Tom will be remembered for being a loving and devoted husband, father, and cherished “Pop-Pop”.

Tom was the loving husband of the late Rosa Antonietta Antonucci (June 2017). He was the dearly loved son of the late Thomas E. Antonucci and the late Sarah Antonucci; devoted father of Rosanne Antonucci of Wayne, Gina Biro and husband Chris of Pompton Plains, and the late Paula Jean Antonucci (May 1994); cherished grandfather of Justin, Christopher, and Olivia; loved brother of: Louis Antonucci and wife Donna, Jeffery Antonucci and wife Kathleen, John Antonucci and wife Rina, and Ron Antonucci; and dear uncle of numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Alzheimer’s New Jersey 425 Eagle Rock Ave., Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068, would be appreciated.  Please make your check payable to Alzheimer’s New Jersey or, to donate online, click on this link www.alznj.org.