Rosa Pontoriero

Rosa (Barritta) Pontoriero, age 91, of Union, passed away on August 18, 2026.

Her journey began in Spilinga, Italy, the place of her birth, which remained an anchor in her life even after she emigrated to the United States in 1963. Rosa devoted her entire life to her family. She was widely recognized for being loving, kind, generous and caring. These qualities set the tone for every aspect of her life and defined the relationships she forged and fostered.

Rosa is preceded in death by her father Antonio Barritta and mother Domenica Zappia. She is survived by her loving husband Francesco Pontoriero Fiorillo, her daughter Caterina and her husband Peter Bruno, her sons Serafino, and Antonio and his wife Susan. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Frank, Christina, and Michael.

Amongst her proudest accomplishments, Rosa held most dear the life she built with her husband, as well as becoming a mother and grandmother. Family was her world, and she created lasting traditions that were at the heart of the household. Sunday was cherished with family enjoying her Lasagna and other home-cooked Italian meals. These Sunday dinners were eagerly anticipated by her family and remembered fondly by all who were fortunate enough to gather around her table.

Rosa’s love for travel was a reflection of her enduring connection to her roots. She would take frequent trips to visit Spilinga, her hometown in Italy, maintaining a bond with her past and sharing her heritage with future generations.

A visitation for Rosa will take place on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Galante Funeral Home located at 2800 Morris Avenue in Union. A funeral mass will begin on Monday at 10:15 am at St. Michael Church, located at 1212 Kelly Street in Union. Entombment in the mausoleum will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park located at 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue in Union.