Antonio Pontoriero

Antonio Pontoriero

Antonio Pontoriero (Virina), beloved father of Michael and Pasquale Pontoriero, passed away Christmas evening at Overlook Hospital surrounded by family. He lived a life that was nothing short of a remarkable adventure, constantly on the move, socializing, and meeting many people along the way. Antonio, one of nine, was born in Spilinga Italy on May 12, 1933. After marrying his late wife, Maria Pontoriero, the couple then immigrated to the United States seeking more opportunity and an overall better life.

Antonio’s larger than life personality, heart, and social calendar allowed him to not only spearhead many business endeavors, but also touch many lives along the way. He became president of the Spilingese Social Club, in Newark, NJ where many Italian American immigrants congregate, for several years and was instrumental in purchasing the club’s headquarters many years ago. Antonio furthermore made his mark as a longshoreman at  Port Elizabeth. He would always go out of his way to help those struggling to find work, and was thus responsible for finding many friends and family employment at the Port. Moreover, he found much success in his real estate investments.

In addition to his daily trips to the Spilingese Club, Antonio always found a way to keep himself busy. He was an avid goer of Atlantic City and as a dynamic and effervescent man, he was truly in his element and relished in the entertainment and frenetic energy every trip brought him. He loved playing cards, horse racing, and tending to his garden every summer, of course sharing the fruits of his labor with friends and family. He also loved visiting his siblings, nieces, and nephews in Italy.

Antonio touched countless lives through his constant generosity, zest, and zeal for life. As an immigrant, he pioneered a prosperous life for himself, his family, and the generations to come, sacrificing the familiarity of Italy for that of the opportunity available in the USA. Today, Antonio is survived by devoted sons Michel and Pasquale, daughters-in-law Mary Theresa and Elaine, and by the apples of his eye, his grandchildren, Maria Lauren, Maria Isabella, Anthony, and Natasha. He is also survived by his sister, Elisabetta, and bother, Francisco, who both reside in Italy, and a dear friend Carmela Miceli.

Visitation at Galante Funeral Home 2800 Morris Ave in Union on Tuesday morning from 9 AM to 11:30 AM. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newark at 12 Noon.

Entombment at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, N. Arlington.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in his memory to a charity of your choice.