Obituary of Lilia Miniaci

Lilia Miniaci, of Freehold, NJ, passed away peacefully at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank on Friday April 14, 2023 at the age of 81 surrounded by her children. She was born on September 23, 1941 in Abruzzo, Italy and was later raised in Cansano, Italy. As a child, one of Lilia's fondest memories that she spoke about often was of an American Soldier during WW2 coming to her town with a big smile, giving her a piece of candy. In 1956, at the age of 15, Lilia immigrated to the United States by boat on the La Saturnia with only her siblings. Thirteen days later, she arrived in New York Harbor passing the Statue Of Liberty and remembering the American soldier that made her smile. Lilia settled in Brooklyn, NY, where she attended Bay Ridge Annex High School and later met the love of her life John. They created an amazing life together raising 5 beautiful children and opened up Johnny's Pizzeria. 55 years later, Johnny's Pizzeria still provides love, food and comfort to the Sunset Park Community. Lilia and John were blessed to move to Staten Island, NY where they opened their home to everyone. Lilia was an incredible cook and would take great pride in making her sauce, pasta, meatballs, polenta and her famous zeppoles. In 2015, Lilia moved to Freehold, NJ. Here she thrived in a community of wonderful friends with afternoons of espresso and evenings spent watching her spanish novellas. Lilia loved treating herself and whoever would tag along for a mani/pedi, followed by an afternoon lunch. Lilia never got tired of saying that her greatest accomplishment and reward were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.

Lilia is predeceased by her husband, John Miniaci. She is survived by her five children, Maria Coluccio and her husband, Rocco of Monroe, Lilia Miniaci of Freehold, Silvana Verzolini and her husband, Philip of Freehold, John Miniaci and his wife, Melisa of Howell and Louis Miniaci and his wife, Leila of Staten Island; 13 grandchildren, Maria and her husband, Marc, Joseph and his wife, Laura, Angelica and her fiance', Nick, Gabriella, Paulina, Adrianna, Sofia, Michael, Natalie and Ava; two great grandchildren, Marco and Mila; brothers, Nicola Guadagnoli, wife Maryann, Leo Guadagnoli, wife Dina and Donato Guadagnoli, wife Anna and many nieces and nephew.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday April 18, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at 8:30 AM on Wednesday April 19, 2023 at the Funeral Home for the procession to her 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Joseph - St. Thomas Catholic Church, 50 Maguire Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309. Entombment will follow in Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY 10306. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com