Gaetano A. "JUNIOR" Jaquindo Obituary (1931 - 2021)

Gaetano A. "Junior" Jaquindo May 5, 1931-June 4. 2021 Gaetano A. "Junior" Jaquindo, 90, of Livingston, N.J., passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, June 4, 2021. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, N.J., on Monday, June 7, 2021 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass will be offered at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Orange, N.J. on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 10 a.m., immediately followed by the interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Masks are required in both the funeral home and church. For directions or to send the family condolences please visit www.ippolitofuneralhomes.com. Born and raised in Orange, "Junior" was a resident of Livingston for 44 years. Gaetano was the dedicated husband of 64 years to Helen (nee Mueller) Jaquindo and the loving father of Antoinette (Toni) Bellacosa of Livingston and Cathy Casolaro and her husband Dominick of East Hanover; cherished grandfather of Dominick A. Casolaro and his wife Nadia, Brittany Bellacosa, Dante Casolaro and his wife Danielle, Donato Casolaro and the late Robert (Robby) Bellacosa and adored Big Papa of Nico and Enzo Casolaro. He was a cherished uncle, brother, son and friend. Papa "Junior" enjoyed entertaining, having a July 4th BBQ, sitting on the porch with neighbors, and by the pool with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Junior served as a police officer with the City of Orange Police Department for 25 years before retiring as Captain. Subsequently he was the owner of Orange Foreign Car Parts Store for many years and the proprietor of The Italian Social Club in Orange. We've been told by his one of his closest lifelong friends, Joey, he was an accomplished pool shark in his youth. Most recently Junior enjoyed playing pinochle at the Orange Elks and hosting the annual Pasquetta celebration in Orange. As all of you may know, he enjoyed Costco runs, shopping at the Farmers Market, studying the Shop-Rite circular, cooking, making tuna, and using facetime to talk to his grandchildren. Papa "Junior" made the best meatballs on the planet and was envied for his full head of hair. No matter where he was: Shop-rite, Costco, the Bahamas on vacation, he always ran into someone he knew. Everyone who knew him loved him; Junior was one of a kind and will never be replaced. A veteran, Mr. Jaquindo proudly served in the Marines during the Korean War. He was predeceased by his brother and sisters, Felix Jaquindo, Mary Talamini, Carmela Egnozzi, Frances Lacitignola and Nina Sivolella. In lieu of flowers, donations to Make-A-Wish America, 1702 East Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or at https://wish.org would be appreciated.