Obituary of Ugolino J. Iavaroni

Ugolino “Papa Joe” Iavaroni, 95, of Howell passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.  He was born in Manhattan, raised in Brooklyn and had lived in Florida and Freehold before settling here in 2008.  Papa Joe served honorably in the United States Army during World War II.  He enjoyed a long and successful career as a trailer driver for Peerless Importers out of Brooklyn.  Joe was a parishioner of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold Township.  He loved music, mostly listening to Jimmy Roselli and singing in Italian, enjoying a brandy, and tending to his vegetable garden.  Papa Joe was most passionate about his family and he loved nothing more than spending time with them.   

Papa Joe was predeceased by his loving wife, Concetta Iavaroni; and brother, Salvatore Iavaroni.  He is survived by his sons, Vincent Iavaroni and his wife, Molly of Smithville, William Iavaroni and his wife, Jeryl of Freehold Township, Michael Iavaroni and his wife, Maria of Howell, Richard Iavaroni of Ft. Myers, FL and Joseph Iavaroni and his wife, Laura of Mocksville, NC; nine grandchildren, Andrew, Emma, Michael and his wife, Bonnie Jaclyn and her husband, Charles, Kevin and his girlfriend, Tess, Janine, Meighanne, Joie and Jesyca; five great grandchildren, Izabella, Abigail, Mikayla, Charles and Sophia; five siblings, Mary Macaulay, Albert Iavarone, Mario Iavaroni, Joseph Iavaroni and Vincent Iavaroni; and many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, January 29, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.  Interment will follow in Brigadier General Wm. C. Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Arneytown.  For those who desire, memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, Post Office Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.  For information, directions or to leave condolence messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com