Obituary of Thomas C. Minardi

Thomas “Tom” Minardi of Hawthorne, NJ, formerly of Woodland Park, NJ, departed this life on January 25, 2021 at the age of 90.

Cherished husband of 61 years to the late Betty (Rosa) Minardi.  Beloved father of Nancy Minardi Riggio, Mary Ann Minardi Hoogerheyde and her husband Randy, and Thomas J. Minardi and his wife Maria.  Adored grandfather to nine grandchildren: Alexandra Riggio-Bottino and her husband Bill; Cristina Riggio-Gambardella and her husband Craig; Victoria Riggio; Christian Hoogerheyde and his wife Lulu; Jenna and Justin Hoogerheyde; Thomas Minardi; Lauren Minardi Inserra and her husband Lawrence; Jacqueline Minardi.  Treasured great-grandfather to Cecilia and Liam Bottino and Rennick Hoogerheyde.

Tom was born in Paterson on March 30, 1930 to Giovanni (John) and Nunziatia Allesandrello Minardi, Italian immigrants who founded Minardi Baking Company in 1927.  Tom graduated from Central High School and attended Bradford Durfee College of Technology in Fall River, MA.  Tom and his late brothers, Salvatore and Joseph, later assumed ownership of Minardi Baking Company, which was an institution of Paterson for 84 years.  For Tom, his family and his bakery were the two pillars of his life. Tom worked tirelessly in all aspects of the family business to help bring it into the success it became for 84 long years.

Throughout his life, Tom set an example for his family with his kind and generous heart.  His genuine smile and love for people was always accompanied by a freshly baked loaf of bread.  His generosity extended beyond his family and friends to many charitable organizations in Paterson, who he served for many years.  Tom was extremely proud of his Italian heritage and instilled in his children and grandchildren the work ethic he learned from his parents. His love of history often prompted games of historical trivia whenever gathered with his children and grandchildren.

Tom was a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Pompei Church in Paterson.  He is predeceased by his sisters, Rose Mastroianni and Grace Lembo, his brother Salvatore, and his twin brother Joseph.

Memorial Donations in Tom’s name can be made to:

St. Joseph’s Rest Home    

46-52 Preakness Avenue

Paterson, NJ 07522

Salesians Sisters of Saint John Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

655 Belmont Avenue

Haledon, NJ 07508-2397

adoptasister@salesiansisters.org

Tomorrow’s Children

https://www.tcfkid.org/donate/