Obituary of Anthony Paolucci

Anthony Paolucci, 90, of Freehold Township passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025 with his loving family by his side. Anthony was born Antonio Paolucci in Colle Sannita, Benevento, Italy and proudly changed his name to Anthony when he became an American citizen.  He was raised by his maternal grandmother and aunts in Colle Sannita after losing his mother at the age of 7.  As a young man he became an auto mechanic apprentice eventually becoming a master mechanic.   After serving in the Italian Armed Forces, he returned to his passion of automobiles.  After meeting and marrying his devoted wife, Filomena, in Italy, he came to the United States in 1960 and they settled in Elizabeth, NJ where he started his first job in the United States working for Dunn’s Garage.  He truly lived the American Dream.  Coming to the US with just a few dollars in his pocket, he purchased his first home in 1963.  After several years at Dunn’s Garage, he was hired to work on the assembly line for General Motors in Linden, NJ where he retired after 25 years of service.  While at General Motors, Anthony made many friends and enjoyed his time there immensely recalling with fondness the day he followed the assembly line watching as his first brand new automobile was being built.  His 1972 navy blue Oldsmobile Delta 88 became one of his proudest possessions. He was a talented auto mechanic always fixing cars for his many neighbors and friends becoming known as “Tony the Mechanic” in the predominantly Italian section of Peterstown in Elizabeth. After retirement, Anthony proudly worked alongside his son Peter at their garage, Paolucci Auto Care, where he enjoyed working with their many loyal customers.  In 1975, he moved his young family to Freehold where he enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and above all, dedicating time to his family.  Sunday dinners spent eating, laughing and enjoying his children, grandchildren and extended family. As a young family man he enjoyed spending time with his and Filomena’s many friends and family members.  He enjoyed telling stories of his life in Italy, as well as watching alongside his grandsons his favorite soccer team, Napoli. He was especially proud of both his grandsons for excelling in soccer and proudly attended their games. He traveled back to Italy many times and enjoyed traveling to other locations with family and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Pietro and Libera (Nista) Paolucci; and siblings, Beniamino Paolucci (Anna Maria), Annina Paolucci, and Carmela Colella (Nicola). Anthony is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Filomena (Pezzuto) Paolucci; son, Peter Paolucci and his partner of many years, Maria Cannarozzi; daughter, Libby DeChiaro and her husband, Steven; grandchildren, Anthony Paolucci and his fiancée, Kasia, Christian DeChiaro; his bonus grandchildren Victoria DeChiaro and her partner, Juan, and Stevie Hrycyk and her husband, Eric; and four bonus great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews including Susan Wetherell, Lydia and Michael Rosenberg, and Lori DeFalco and their families and all his Paolucci nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM for the procession to his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold. Entombment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com