Obituary of Joseph Aprile

Aprile, Joseph, formerly of Paterson, NJ, passed away on August 14, 2013. Joseph was born and raised in Paterson and lived there most of his life. He was employed as a maintenance foreman for 45 years at Ultra Chemical Co./Witco Chemical Co./Dial Corporation on Wood St. in Paterson. He was a licensed electrician, for which he maintained a side business in the 60's and 70's. As a young man he played all sports, most notably a second baseman and lead-off hitter in the Paterson A league fast-pitch softball circuit for many years. He was also an avid bowler, participating in a number of area leagues. In his later years, Joseph developed a passion for the game of tennis, continuing his playing during the winter months at his second home in Delray Beach, FL. His fiery competitive spirit and drive to excel at whatever he did is a legacy he has given to his children, as well as his solid work ethic and devotion to family. Another legacy passed on to his son is the unswerving allegiance to the N.Y. football Giants and especially the New York Yankees. Joseph was an Army veteran of WW II, seeing combat in Europe. The "greatest generation" has lost another cherished member. But now he is reunited with his dear wife of more than 50 years, Mary, who predeceased him in 2002. He was also predeceased by his brothers-in law and sisters-in-law Louis and Vera Tafuto and Nicholas and Jean Batand, his sister Jean Mathes, along with those close friends from that memorable E. 24th St./E. 25th St. group - Dolly and Jim Vellis, Angela and Clem Malfa, Nino and Sedina Cataudella, Bea and Pat LaSalle, Pete and Flossie Salzano, Sal Belluardo, and so many others too numerous to mention. Joseph was the proud father of his two children - Gregory and his wife Georgia and Cheryl Aprile-Mucci and Jim Mucci. Also the loving grandfather of Cara DePascale and her husband Justin, Jonathan Aprile, Michael Mucci, Amanda Mucci, and Travis Aprile, the great-grandfather of Caiden Aprile-Smith and Thomas Hudson DePascale, and the uncle of Marlene Smith, Richard DeBlock, Bill Batand, Louis Tafuto, and Louisa Tafuto. Summer vacations in Wildwood and Seaside Heights, the neighborhood barbecues, the outings at Melody Lake and so many more special traditions will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories, Dad, and for all your love. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa, on Monday at 9:45 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Bonaventure R.C. Church, 174 Ramsey St., Paterson at 10:15 AM. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, 58 McLean Blvd., Paterson. Visiting hours are Sunday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to: Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, 654 West 170th Street, New York, N.Y. 10032, Attn: New York Presbyterian Hospital Fund, Inc. would be appreciated. **Please include in memo of check "Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis Department, Cheryl Aprile-Mucci and Gregory J. Aprile, 50 Galesi Dr., Wayne, NJ 07470"**.