Obituary of Louis J. Muccio

Louis James "Bubby" Muccio, age 90, of West Paterson passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on March 6, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was the second son of Anna and Anthony Muccio and was born in West Paterson on November 27, 1923 where he continued to live until his death. He married the love of his life, Clara Gigante at St. Anthony Church on November 30, 1946 and together they raised their five children. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific as Signalman First Class aboard the USS New Hanover AKA-73, earned four significant awards, and was Honorably Discharged in December 1945. Like others of "The Greatest Generation," he returned home, continued with his previous life and expected no accolades. The pride he felt for his naval service always remained with him. A most touching moment occurred several years ago during his visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Upon seeing his USS New Hanover cap, which he wore proudly, a group of young adults rushed to him and asked if he had served in the Second World War. When he said he had, they started clapping and thanking him for his service. He was so moved it brought tears to his eyes and to those of his family. Supporting and caring for his family were his priorities. After the war, he returned to work at his family business, Tonies Golden Buffet, a neighborhood tavern in West Paterson, which was built by his father in 1930. He and his brother, Robert, eventually owned and operated it until 1999. During this time, he was also employed for many years at Wright Aeronautical as an instrument specialist. He also owned a television repair service. This was followed by 20 years with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, where he was the Foreman of the Instrumentation Group. He was loved and respected by all who worked for and with him. This affection was abundantly clear by the tributes given to him upon his retirement from the Sewerage Commission in1990. Bubby was also a volunteer firefighter with West Paterson Fire Company #1. When responding to a fire call, he and his fellow firefighters had an ongoing challenge to see who would arrive first at the station and drive the truck. Luckily, for him, he lived directly across the street from the firehouse. In addition, Bubby was always working around his home, fixed his own cars and scarcely ever rested. Rarely, could his family find him just relaxing. But as busy as he was, he always made time to take his family on day trips, to the drive-in movies and on summer vacations. In 1980, he and his wife, Clara, built their vacation home on a lagoon in Manahawkin, NJ. His children and grandchildren enjoyed over 30 years of boating, swimming, crabbing, and family poker games. And of course, in pure Bubby style, he worked around this home, too. But, thankfully, he did allow himself moments of relaxation as he watched his family having fun. He was passionate about golf. Making a hole-in-one at the Passaic County Golf Course was definitely one of the highlights in his life. He was an avid Mets and Yankee fan and enjoyed watching the games with his sons and grandsons. Bubby is survived by his wife of 67 years, Clara Gigante, his daughters, Lois Wilk and husband William, Jane Muccio and Jill Zangrilli, his son Anthony Muccio and wife Lucy and daughter-in-law Debra Muccio, and his older brother, Robert Muccio. He was predeceased by his elder son, Robert Muccio, owner of the former Rob's Deli in West Paterson and his son-in-law, Mark Zangrilli, a victim of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. His grandchildren are Jennifer Bruce, Timothy Wilk and wife Lisa, Stefanie Wilk, Matthew Wilk, Reginald Tynes, Danika Tynes and husband Frank Woodson, Louis Muccio, Gina and Lisa Muccio and Alexander and Nicholas Zangrilli. He also has 6 great-grandchildren, Emily and Jacob Bruce, Leah, Evan and Riley Wilk and Alexander Tynes. Bubby was a parishioner of Our Lady of Pompeii Roman Catholic Church. The family of Louis Muccio will receive friends and family on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at Santangelo Funeral Home, 635 McBride Avenue in Woodland Park from 4 PM to 8 PM. A funeral Mass will be offered at Our Lady of Pompeii Church on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 9:30 AM. Prior to the church service, friends and family are invited to join us at the funeral home at 8:30 AM to offer our farewells. In lieu of flowers and as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions in Bubby's memory may be made to: West Paterson Volunteer Fire Company #1