Joseph Varbaro

Joseph Varbaro passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey. He was a man who was extraordinarily proud of his family and lived his entire life for his family. He is survived by his loving wife Leona Varbaro (née Vaccarino), his son Gian Stefano Varbaro and his wife Kerry Varbaro (née Drozdowicz), his daughter Carissa Varbaro Majdanski and her husband Michael Majdanski, and, the apple of his eye, his five grandchildren: Marcello Majdanski, Liliana Majdanski, Edward Varbaro, Ava Varbaro, and Zarah Varbaro. He is additionally survived by his brother Tony Varbaro, his brother Rocco Varbaro and his wife Angela Varbaro, and his sister Pina Keane in addition to his sister-in-law Ann "Cookie" Stagnitta, his brother-in-law Frank Vaccarino and his wife Susan Vaccarino, his sister-in-law Loretta Palamaro, and his sister-in-law Pat Vaccarino in addition to over 20 nieces and nephews along with their families. He also leaves behind many close friends, especially his de facto brother Anthony Pignatelli.

He was born Giuseppe Varbaro in Scilla, Calabria, Italy in 1941, to Antonino Varbaro and Marianna Mortelliti as the second of four children. His family relocated to Rome, Italy when he was a child and he was proudly raised there, studying to become an expert in Roman history, art, and literature. As a child in Rome he met Saint Pope John XXIII and was an extra in the movie Ben Hur. He was an exemplary athlete and competed to make the 1960 Italian Olympic team in the 1500 m. He would then become a boxer as well. In order to help his family, he followed them and emigrated to the United States in 1968.

After arriving in the United States, he went to school to learn English and trained to become an electrician. He would eventually form successful electrical contracting businesses with his brothers. He met his wife Leona in 1972 and they married in 1973. He completed a Master of Arts degree (with Leona's help) in Political Science in 1976. Their children were born in 1974 and 1977. They built their dream house in Briarcliff Manor, NY together and moved there in 1983.

He was passionate about education and culture. He worked seven days a week, taking few days off during a year at all, in order to provide those opportunities to his children and grandchildren.

He was known for his intelligence, sense of humor, and larger than life personality. He often entertained his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews with their children with his jokes, gags, and silly stories. Most of his nieces and nephews describe him as their favorite uncle. He partially retired in 2009 to provide extra childcare for his two oldest grandchildren.

He was a generous man with a big heart who gave things to people even when he didn't have them himself. Leona and he made their home a welcome place to everyone and often a refuge to anyone who needed it. Their home was also the meeting place for both of their extended families, hosting enumerable parties, holidays, events, and family gatherings, including their famous yearly Christmas and New Year's parties.

He had an artistic flare. In addition to designing their home, he built his yearly, massive nativity scene, replete with music, changing lighting, and water effects. He designed and built numerous projects with his grandchildren and created elaborate Halloween decorating schemes. In more recent years, he began designing yearly Halloween costumes for himself as well.

He enjoyed spending his time gardening and raising turtles and chickens. He was always seen with his big cigar, and he always carried extras in case someone asked him for one. He loved spending time at the ocean, particularly in Newport, RI and Wildwood and Cape May, NJ.

He often stated that he thought he had the best life ever, and if he were given a chance to do it over again, he would pick the exact same life. His desire was for people to remember him and for them to laugh and smile.