John A. Chiarello

John Anthony Chiarello was born on July 23, 1940, in Garfield, NJ to Rosaria (Masi) and Casimiro Chiarello. As the youngest of three children in an Italian American family, his two sisters Mary (Buzzi) and Vivian (Czerecki) indulged his every whim. He had a blessed childhood, spending summers at the family bungalow in Staten Island with all his cousins. John owned a sportswear company that manufactured golf and tennis clothing in The Bronx, NY. John loved his family dearly and for most of his adult life he had the pleasure of working alongside his father, and later, his son Charles. His work took him around the world opening factories and meeting famous athletes such as Willie Mays, Joe Di Maggio, and Muhammad Ali. John loved telling stories about growing up in the 50’s with his lifelong friends Louie, Frankie, Bennie and the rest of the Garfield gang. John was a man of profound generosity. He loved lavishing his many friends, family, and extended family with food, clothes, more food, money, and, well, more and more food. He loved nothing more than sitting at the head of his table in front of a steaming dish of macaroni or two, surrounded by those same friends, family, and his loving wife Rosalie, making sure everyone was well fed and then some. John was married to Rosalie for over 60 years. They met in Garfield where they lived until moving to Oradell to raise 4 boisterous children, Rome, Charles, Nicole and last but certainly not least, Anthony. John provided his family with a happy and loving home filled with friends and a never-ending cornucopia of food prepared by his wife Rosalie, affectionately known as the Chief of the Food Police. He leaves his children with lasting memories of pony rides at Van Saun, trips up the farm, Channel Lumber, and summer pool parties. The omnipresent scent of Rosalie’s slowly simmering marinara sauce announced to all who entered his home that they would be safe, loved, and obviously well fed. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In their later years John and Rosalie wintered in and then eventually moved to Del Ray Beach, Florida. John is survived by daughters Rome De Bellis (and son-in-law Giuseppe De Bellis), Nicole Chiarello, son Anthony Chiarello, and daughter-in-law Michele Gonzalez, who will all miss him dearly. John is also survived by grandchildren Mikayla, Ciana, John, Daniel, Bianca, Dylan, Anthony, Milayna who will also miss him very much. His legacy will live on with his three great-grandchildren Lino, Caz and Rosie, through the stories we tell. John was predeceased by his son Charles, who will be waiting with open arms and a tray of hotdogs asking what took him so long.

John A. Chiarello

July 23, 1940 - November 6, 2023