Michael Brienza

Michael J. Brienza, 97 passed away on November 2, 2018 at the NJ Veteran's Memorial Home in Edison.

Funeral is from the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Tuesday at 9 AM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Theresa's Church in Kenilworth at 10:30 AM. Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park. Visitation is on Monday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home.

Born in New York City, Michael lived on 64th Street in Brooklyn before marrying and moving to the Ironbound section of Newark, finally settling in Union in 1956. He proudly served his country in the Army/Air Corps. during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a flight engineer and mechanic for the B29s, as well as air rescue. He helped retrofit the Enola Gay to help end the war. After the war, Michael began his career with Engel's Trucking Co. in Brooklyn, and retired in 1986 as a truck driver for the New York Daily News. Always a proficient handyman, Michael enjoyed his home in Upstate NY, and especially loved his family.

Michael was the beloved husband of 69 years to Frances (nee Cicalese) until her passing in 2015; loving father of Michael J. Brienza, Jr. and his wife Linda, Robert W. Brienza, and Allen J. Brienza and his wife Marguerite; dear grandfather of Erica Lynn, Casey and Michael and his wife Jennifer; great-grandfather of Cooper and Caleigh Rae; brother of William G. Brienza and his wife Carmela, John Brienza and his wife the late Pat, and the late Nicholas F. Brienza and his wife the late Norma. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Catherine Flandina and her husband Frank, William, Louis, Michael, and John Brienza, Jr., Diane Arcilla and Joan Incantalupo.