Andrea Damato

Andrea Damato

Andrea Damato 93, of Chatham passed away on Sunday January 27 ^th , 2013 at home.

The funeral service is in the Galante Funeral Home 2800 Morris Ave. Union, on Friday at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery in Millburn. Visitation is on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm.

Born in Union he lived in Berkley Heights and Cocoa, Florida before moving to Chatham one year ago. He was a self employed contractor in a family business called Damato Brothers in Union for 40 years, retiring 37 years ago. He was a lifetime member of the VFW in Berkley Heights, and a 32nd Degree Mason with the Gavel Lodge in Union. He was also a veteran of WWII serving in the US Coast Guard.

Andrea was extremely proud of his service in the US Coast Guard during WWII. His proudest achievement was being selected to travel to Germany to take possession of what was known as the Horst Vessel, a tall sailing ship that was a prize of war. Renamed the Eagle it is still used as a training vessel for Coast Guard cadets and to lead the tall ships up the Hudson River.

Andrea was the husband of the late Susan D.(nee Tozzi) Damato for 55 years until she passed away in 2009. He was the father of Andy and his wife Karen, and James and his wife Laura. He was also the brother of Anthony Damato,  Ruth Pisciotta, Josephine Woods, Susan Chamberlain, Rose La Pierre, the late Carrie D’Andrea, Mil Zimmerman, Mary Damato, Ann Popolillo, Frank, Salvatore, James,  and John Damato as well as the grandfather of Allison, James, Anna, Anna, and Alex Damato.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers that you make memorials to The Berkley Heights Rescue Squad 29 Park Ave. Berkley Heights, N.J. 07922, in his memory.    Phone # 908-464-1141,