Obituary of Michael Principato

Michael Principato, 75, of Manchester passed away peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Michael was a deacon for the Catholic Church, ordained in 1984. He served at St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold Township, St. Catherine of Sienna in Farmingdale and at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Jackson for the past 10 years. He was dedicated to his faith.

Michael was a pharmacist, having graduated from St. John’s University in 1967 and received his master’s degree in Theology from LaSalle University in 1994. He was a beloved teacher at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel after owning his own business in Farmingdale for many years. He loved to visit other pharmacies everywhere he went, “Just to see”.

He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Angelina Principato; sister, Frances Duhamel; and brother-in-law, William Duhamel. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Monica Principato of Manchester; children, Angela Lafferty and her husband, Michael of Forked River, Joseph Principato and his wife, Meryll of Hamilton, Edie Rubinson and her husband, Scott of Howell, and Domenica LaPorte and her husband, Christopher of Draper, UT; his ten grandchildren who brought him great joy, Michael  Lafferty and his fiancée, Alice Creviston, Angeline Lafferty,  Kathleen, Matthew and  Joshua Principato, Jason and Emma Rubinson, and Andrew, Domenic and Elisabeth LaPorte; his three loving sisters, Rose Lipari and her husband, Dominick of Manchester, Carmela Ruggiero and her husband, James of Staten Island, and Marie Augello and her husband, Stefano of Staten Island; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Michael brought joy to everyone he met. Through the chapters of his life he touched the lives of many and inspired them to love. He was an amazing man, husband, father, grandfather, godfather, deacon and friend. He will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 679 West Veterans Highway, Jackson on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 2:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at the church on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Toms River. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s name to St. Monica’s Church, Repair Fund. All arrangements are under the direction of the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. For information, directions or to offer condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.