Obituary of Geno Giacomelli

Geno, 89 of Minotola, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2013. Although slowed in recent months, he tended his spring garden and home chores before retiring for a normal nights rest. In the morning hours at his red brick home of 62 years at Wheat Road and Central Avenue he succumbed to [?heart condition? Describe?]. Born in West Frankfort, Illinois he moved in 1933 with his family, including mother Amelia (Vitale), sister Levia Castellari and father, Agostino, formerly of Trentino, Province of Modena, Italy, at age 10 a farm in Vineland, New Jersey before in 1935 the 20 acre farmstead at Wheat and Central in Minotola became the family home and business. Immediately after high school he worked the family farm, featuring Jersey Sweet Potatoes, and then later he farmed part-time, as he became employed as helper and then mechanic by Fioresi Brothers, Tile Marble and Terrazzo, and later Avalon Carpet, Tile and Flooring. His craftsmanship can be seen at numerous homes, schools, and governmental buildings across southern and central New Jersey, as well as the Atlantic City Casinos and even the Salem Nuclear Power Plant. A graduate from Dr. J.P. Cleary Junior High School in Minotola, and Vineland Senior High School as Salutatorian in 1941 graduating class, he postponed an opportunity for a college agriculture degree program at Rutgers University, instead supported the war effort of World War Two at the family farm. Married to Florence Peters of Vineland for 51 years, who passed in 1997, he was predeceased by his daughter, Judith Ann born 1949, who passed in 2003. He is survived by son, Gene of Tucson, Arizona; three grandchildren, Dr. Michael of MIT, Boston MA; Jesse and wife Jenna (Peters) Giacomelli of Elyse Winery, Napa Valley, California; and, Case of Aero-Sekur SpA, Aprilia, Italy; and, nieces Eileen (Castellari) Farabella of Minotola and Diane Ragone (Castellari) of Vineland. In 2001, he survived heart disease [attack?], receiving a sextuple heart bypass surgery, then recovering to enjoy another decade in good health, shared with the close relationships and supportive care from many friends including medical nurse Terry Stavoli, close family friend Arlene Stampa, niece Eileen Farabella and cousin Ron Fioresi. To these and others he was greatly appreciative for the fellowship, love and good times that they enjoyed together. He could often be found with these or other friends appreciating the garden or enjoying the day in his chair under the tree and straw hat.