Obituary of William Consalo

William F. Consalo, Jr.,82, of Vineland died Sunday January 4, 2009. Born in Medford, NJ, he lived in Richwood and Union for much of his life before moving to Vineland in 1969. He was the President of William Consalo & Sons Farms, Inc. and Vice President of W.C.S. Trucking Inc. He was a member of the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association for the State of New Jersey, The Produce Marketing Association, The Canadian Produce Marketing Association, New Jersey Farm Bureau, a 33 year member and past president of the Board of Directors of the Newark Farmers Market, a member of the Cumberland County Board of Agriculture, Atlantic County Board of Agriculture, New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association, New Jersey Peach Growers Association, New Jersey Motor Truck Association, St. Anthony's Society, Glassboro; Hungry Hunters Hunting Club, the Vineland Chamber of Commerce and a life member of Deborah Hospital. He was also an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He was honored by the Italian American Heritage Cultural Society and the Sicilian American Club of South Jersey with the Spirit of Achievement Award, as well as The Vineland Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey Fresh Festival Award for 65 years of growing, buying and selling nationally. Other awards included The Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Agriculture Business Award, and the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Produce Man of the Year Award. He spent many years as a buyer at the Vineland Produce Auction and was highly respected by all who knew him. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, summers at Sea Isle City, traveling and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife of 60 years Mildred (Brigandi) of Vineland, four daughters: Mary Louise Gruccio, Louise Consalo, Kathleen "Kathy" Bifulco and husband Umberto III "Bert", Caroline Smith and husband Andrew; son in law, Philip DeRosa, eight grandchildren: Kristen DeRosa, Umberto Bifulco IV, Candice Riggins and husband Curt, Lauren Marie Gruccio, Kathleen Charlotte Bifulco and fiancé Nick Surace, William Michael Gruccio, Tara Lynn Smith, and Stephanie Squires and husband Fred; four great-grandchildren: Madeline and Amelia Squires and Sean and Tyler Riggins; Two brothers: Vincent Sr. and wife Hope and Augustus and wife Dorothy; two sisters: Philomena Guinta and Elaine D`Ottavio and husband Ronald; Sister-in-law Lena Gattuso and brothers and sisters-in-law Joe and Pauline Brigandi and Peter and Lilly Brigandi. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. William was pre-deceased by his parents William Sr. and Louise; son-in-law Michael L. Gruccio Jr.; brother Anthony and wife Barbara; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law James Gattuso and John and Mary Brigandi and Peter Giunta. Funeral home visitations will be held Thursday evening January 8th from 6-9 pm and Friday morning January 9th from 9-10 am at the Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Ave, Vineland, NJ, Funeral liturgy will be held on Friday January 9th at 11am at St, Isidore the Farmer Church, 1655 Magnolia Road, Vineland. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Donations may be made to Michael L. Gruccio Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund or St. Isidore the Farmer Church, toward the purchase of a statue in William`s memory. All donations may be mailed to 2459 Buttonwood Drive, Vineland, NJ 08361 To send online condolences please visit our website at WWW.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.COM