Obituary of Giovanni Passalacqua

Giovanni "Big John" Passalacqua, 79, of Blairstown, NJ passed away peacefully on October 20, 2015 with his family by his side. Giovanni was born on November 12, 1935 in Carini, Italy. Born and raised in Sicily, "Big John", immigrated to Brazil where he met and married the love of his life, Beibe in 1958. He and his family later moved back to Italy prior to moving to America in 1973. Giovanni had many careers over his lifetime ranging from farming, textile, truck driver and later to what he was most known for. "The best pizza man in town". Big John owned and operated Dominick's Pizza in Blairstown, NJ until his retirement in 1998. He was very intelligent and self-taught in many aspects of his life. If he did not know how to do or fix something he worked hard to learn how. He was fluent in many languages. His hobbies included gardening, fishing, making wine, dancing and playing with his grandchildren which he adored. He was a sports fanatic, his favorite teams being the NY Giants, NY Yankees and his beloved World Cup Italian soccer team "Azzurri" favorites being 1982 and 2006 World Cup Champions. Giovanni loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed his long walks. Walking between 5 & 8 miles per day. In the last 3 years he spent his afternoons at the Selah Day Care, where they took excellent care of him, teaching him arts and crafts. He is survived by his loving children, a son, John Passalacqua and his wife Patrizia, daughters, Angela Russo and her companion Todd, Anna Passalacqua and her husband Matteo. A sister Angela Mannino and her husband Frank, a brother Antonino Passalacqua and his wife Maria and many nieces and nephews. Cherished grandchildren, Vittorio and his wife Liliana, Agatha and her partner Benny, Giovanni and his girlfriend Stephanie, Beibe, Giovanni, Simona and Gloria. 2 great-grandchildren, Biagio and Vincenzo. Friends and family may pay their respects on Sunday, October 25, 2015 from 5-9 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 26, 2015 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, 200 Carlton Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882 Interment will follow at Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blairstown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be in Giovanni's name to the Selah Adult Day Care Center, 443 Schooley's Mountain Road, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. To send an online condolence please go to www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com