Gaetano Naccarella

Gaetano Naccarella passed peacefully on his 92nd birthday, February 11th, 2020. He is predeceased by his four siblings, his daughter, Giulia, and sons-in-law Michael and Thomas. He is survived by his wife Carmela, loving children Maria, Antonella and husband John, and Gaetano (Guy) and wife Tracey, his grandchildren Jacqueline and husband Matt, Thomas, Andrew and wife Jessica, Jonathan and wife Katherine, Jayme and Allison, Julianna, Jason, Cristina, and Matthew, and his great-grandchildren Colin, Evan, Cameron, Ryan, and Vivienne. Gaetano’s life spanned three continents, four countries, countless cities, and thousands of miles, all in search of a better life for he and his wife Carmela, and his ever-growing family. He worked jobs in construction in Montreal and New York City. Always a handyman, he was known to recycle little pieces of New York City infrastructure for his many home improvement projects. He loved his family very much and would often be the first to shed a joyful tear at the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, his absolute prides and joys. Once he retired, you could often find him sitting in the sun in the backyard or on the front porch, or tending to his garden full of tomatoes and his beloved fig trees. His annual tomato harvest and wine making festivities kept our bellies full and our faces smiling. He loved to watch RAI Italia and Turner Classic Movies, familiar sounds often heard throughout the house. He read any National Geographic magazine that crossed his place at the kitchen table and completed the crossword puzzles in the daily newspapers religiously. Gaetano often wore his trademark flannel and various baseball caps (mostly his favorite, a Cresskill-Alpine baseball cap) in any kind of weather, from 20 degrees to 80, snow or sunshine. While we are sad that he is no longer with us, we know that he is surrounded by loved ones in heaven who have been waiting patiently for his arrival, and all of the pasta fagioli he could possibly eat. We are beyond blessed to have had him as a father, grand-father, great-grandfather, and friend in our lives for this long. We are honored to carry on the legacy he worked so hard to create, and will do everything we can to continue to make him proud. The family will receive friends and family at Barrett Funeral Home, 148 Dean Drive, Tenafly on Friday, February 14 from 2 - 5 PM. Funeral Mass on Saturday, February 15 at St. Therese of Liseux Church, 120 Monroe Ave, Cresskill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 220 E 42nd St Ste 435, New York, NY 10017, (www.StJude.org) or Tomorrows Children's Fund, 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601, (www.tcfkid.org).

Gaetano Naccarella

February 11, 2020