Carmela Foti

Carmela L. Foti (Millie)

Church Trustee, Vocalist, Papermill Playhouse

Carmela L. Foti ( nee Mosso), 90, longtime resident of East Orange and Millburn, passed on April 16, 2015 in Livingston, joining her husband Vito in glory after only 11 days of his passing. Visitation is Tuesday, April 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave, Union, NJ.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at St Rose of Lima Church, Short Hills, NJ.  Internment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover,

Throughout her life Millie was devoted to service and took a leadership role in directing activities at St. Joseph’s Church for which she was recognized with a lifetime service award. She was the first woman Trustee of St. Joseph’s Church.  She was the founder and 40-year chairperson of Monday Afternoon Bingo (B---2!), raising funds for St. Joseph Catholic School.  Millie was an active Rosarian, serving as President and co-chairing the annual auction fundraiser for over 25 years; she also served in leadership positions at the school and in its scouting activities.

A gifted vocalist, Millie sang weddings at St Joe’s for many decades. She was in the elite choir that sang for Pope John Paul II on the field at Yankee Stadium. Throughout her life she was an active member in choirs at St. Joe’s and later in life at St. Rose of Lima in Millburn. For 18 years, Millie also performed in community theatre musical productions at St. Joe’s.

An eye-catching ballroom dancer along with husband Vito, Millie was a celebrated local talent. They led off the Papermill FlashMob of 2010 with a “Peabody” step that has half a million views on YouTube.  The couple won the 2007 Millburn Senior Dance Contest, and later in life formed a song and dance duo called “It’s Never Too Late” that played for local charity events.

Millie graduated from East Orange High School, and worked at Spengler Insurance Agency for 11 years; and at Howard Savings Bank, Vailsburg for 10 years.  For the next 20 years, sporting her signature feathered beret, she gave a welcoming smile to patrons, as ticket agent at the Papermill Playhouse Box Office window.

Millie was most of all a loving, caring and supportive wife, mother, and grandmother.  She is pre-deceased by her husband Vito of 63 years.  She is survived by their five children Maria Johnson and husband Allen, Gabe Foti, Jim Foti and his wife Carrie, Tom Foti , Anne Pollock and husband William; their twelve grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Rose Foti of Brick NJ, Marie Mosso of West Orange NJ and Sue Mosso of Miami FL, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.