Joseph Galante

Joseph A. Galante

Joseph A. Galante, 92 of Boca Raton, FL passed away peacefully on April 12, 2018.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 250 Bebout Avenue, Stirling, NJ on Wednesday at 10 AM. Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union.

Born in Newark, Mr. Galante lived in the Ironbound Section, and later South Orange and Roseland before moving to Boca Raton, FL in 1985.

Joseph attended McAllister School of Embalming in New York City, graduating with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1950, becoming a licensed funeral director. Along with his mother Elvira Galante (nee Biondi) and brothers Frank R. and Richard J., he was a co-owner of the Galante Funeral Home in the Ironbound Section, eventually expanding to Vailsburg in 1950, Union in 1965, and Caldwell in 1974. Joseph was a very well respected member of the New Jersey State Funeral Director’s Association, and Past President of the Funeral Directors Association of Essex, Union and West Hudson Counties from 1976-77. He was also a member of the Ironbound Executives Association, Ironbound Chapter of Optimist International, and the Roseland Chapter of UNICO National; and was a longtime member of the Braidburn Country Club, later Brooklake in Florham Park.

Joseph was the beloved husband of 55 years to the late Theresa (nee Comito); survived by his loving partner Nancy Jarackas, loving father of Joseph Galante and his wife Lisa, and Vera Castagna and her husband John; proud grandfather of Michael Galante his wife Evelyn, Julie Gulick and her husband Alex, Maria Castagna and Laura Castagna; and great-grandfather of Wesley & Davis Galante and Wyatt Gulick. He was also the brother of the late Frank R. Galante and his wife Frances, and the late Richard J. Galante and his wife the late Phyllis. He is also survived by his cousins Anthony and Mickey Biondi, and by many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

As Mr. Galante often said to family and friends, he lived and enjoyed his life to the fullest and did it all! He was the epitome of great character, integrity and class; and through his decades of service guided countless families through the most difficult time of their lives. He was most passionate about the families he served and the reputation his mother, he and his brothers worked so hard to create. His care and compassion was a gift to every family he served.  He will be remembered as a true gentleman to friends and a loving devoted father and Papa to his children and grandchildren.