Obituary of Caterina Curcio

Caterina Curcio; warm, intelligent, productive, strong, selfless, devoted, and above all else loving.

Born and raised in Polla, Italy. She concluded schooling in 2nd grade to raise her newborn brother, care for livestock, and climb trees to gather chestnuts. She experienced tragedy at a young age while caring for her 19-year-old sister, who passed in her arms. She told tales from World War II; being hidden along with her sisters under mattresses from invading soldiers. She displayed scars on her leg from a bomb that exploded nearby while working the field. She persevered through these challenging times through the guidance of her wise father, a Carabinieri, and her loving mother. She often spoke of the immense love between her parents and siblings, whom she missed so much, being separated by the Atlantic Ocean. 

Caterina met her husband Luigi in Italy, also a native of Polla, and remained devoted from their first gathering until his recent passing. They spent nearly 70 years together. While Luigi emigrated to the United States to build their future home, Caterina raised their firstborn son Angelo in Italy for almost two years, until making the passage across the ocean herself on the ill-fated SS Andrea Doria, and subsequent rescue boat. Through Caterina's abundance of love, she would give birth to two additional children in the United States, Maria and Ralph.

In the United States, Caterina cared not only for her husband, and three children, but also for many other family members who all resided under the same roof in Paterson, NJ. While first working as a seamstress, she spent the majority of her life alongside family establishing countless restaurants, such as Island of Capri in Atlantic City, Michael Angelo's in Oakridge, Don Luigi's in Little Falls, and most notably, Sun-Ray Pizzeria; which began its life in Paterson, then shifting to Little Falls, where it stands to this day.

Caterina, alongside her family, later moved to Totowa, NJ. Here, she would build an immense backyard garden, make delicious homemade food, jar tomato sauce, and continue to work at Sun-Ray past the age of 80. Caterina never waivered in her love and devotion to her family, offering her home to all who might visit at any time, any day of the week. Instead of relaxing as some do during their later years in life, she would offer her home to raise grandchildren, which often times meant morning until evening on a daily basis. She leaves behind a legacy of 12 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. 

Whether we called you Caterina, Mom, Grandma, or Nonna, your love will live on in our hearts and minds forever. While we miss your presence dearly, we know that you are now back in the arms of Luigi who has been waiting for you. We know that together, alongside all of our loved ones who reside in Heaven, you will watch over us until we meet again.

We love you so much.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. James RC Church, 400 Totowa Rd., Totowa on Wednesday from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM with her Funeral Mass to commence at 10:00 AM. Entombment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Mausoleum, Totowa.  Arrangements are by Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd., Totowa.  In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, would be appreciated.