Vincenzo Celso

Vincenzo Celso, age 80, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025, surrounded by the loving care of his family.

Born in Acri Consenza, Calabria, Italy, Vincenzo was one of seven children of Giuseppe and Assunta Celso. As a boy, he loved playing and watching soccer, a passion that grew into lifelong devotion to the Inter Milan soccer team. After completing high school in Italy, he proudly served in the Italian military, where he was stationed in Libya and other parts of Africa. Following his service, he worked as a skilled mason, a trade that would remain central throughout his life.

Through family connections, Vincenzo met the love of his life, Andreana Turano. As fate would have it, they fell in love.  Vincenzo and Andreana exchanged wedding vows surrounded by friends and family on August 7, 1971, beginning a union that would last fifty-four years. Shortly after their wedding, they immigrated to the United States. Determined to build their life together in search of a better life and the American Dream.  The newlyweds settled in Paterson, New Jersey.

Upon arriving in the United States, Vincenzo began working at Marcal Paper Products in South Paterson (now Elmwood Park) as a forklift operator. After several years, he returned to his skills as a mason, contributing to dye houses and textile companies throughout the Paterson area. In the late 1980s, he joined the custodial department of the Wayne Board of Education, a role he held with pride and dedication until his retirement in 2014.

Vincenzo and Andreana welcomed two children, Laura and Giuseppe, during their years in Paterson. In 1995, the family moved to Wayne, where they continued to build a warm and loving home. Vincenzo’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and dancing with his wife. He delighted in tending to his vegetable gardens, cultivating tomatoes, peppers, flowers, and fig trees, and preserving Italian traditions such as making his own wine. Handy and resourceful, he was able to complete home projects and repairs with ease.

A man of deep devotion, Vincenzo cherished his Catholic faith. He and his family were longtime parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson and later Our Lady of the Valley in Wayne. He was known for his sharp wit, lighthearted teasing, and the sarcastic humor.  These were characteristics that endeared him to those closest to him.

He loved traveling with his family to Italy to reconnect with relatives, as well as enjoying trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. He also remained a loyal fan of soccer and professional wrestling, hobbies that brought him joy throughout his life.

Above all, Vincenzo was a man devoted to his family. His greatest passion was providing for them, sharing time with them, and celebrating life’s simple joys together. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and unwavering commitment to those he cherished most.

Vincenzo will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather, and dear friend. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Vincenzo is survived by his wife Andreana (Turano) of Wayne, NJ, one son Giuseppe “Joey” Celso of Wayne, NJ, one daughter Laura Albornoz and her husband Jean of North Haledon, NJ, one grandchild Gia Albornoz of North Haledon, NJ, four sisters; Maria Celso of Acri, Italy, Agata Cappello and her husband Angelo of Norwalk, CT, Lina Celso and her husband Giuseppe of Italy, and Santina Celso and her husband Giuseppe of Como, Italy, one brother Ernesto Celso and his wife Lisa of Como. Italy, and his sister-in-law Giuseppina Lupo.  He was predeceased by his brother Domenico Celso. Also, survived by many nieces and nephews.