Obituary of Gino Terranova

Gino T. Terranova, 90, of Freehold Township passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at home surrounded by his family. Gino was born in Staten Island and raised in Sicily as a child before returning to Staten Island. He lived in the West Brighton section until moving to Freehold Township in 2013. As a third generation marble artisan, he was noted for his work in cathedrals and local churches of all denominations in Italy, California and the metropolitan area, working alongside his father and brothers from the young age of 8. Gino was especially proud of his instrumental role and fundraising efforts on two important Staten Island memorials, the Father Capodanno statue in Fort Wadsworth and working along with Stephen Tirone, sculptor and brother Marine on the Marine Memorial at the Sunnyside Marine Corps League Detachment. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater in the Marshall Islands. As a member and past president, of the Marine Corps League Staten Island #1 Detachment 246, Gino was also a member of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs at the Detachment. He proudly served on the National Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Gino was also a member of the AMVETS John R. Tamburri Memorial Post 917, and member and past president of the Richmond County Kiwanis Club, both of Staten Island. He was a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, West Brighton. Gino continued to serve the community volunteering in Veterans Hospitals and Marine Corps League events. He was a superb stgoryteller who always had a joke ready which endeared him to friends and family. Gino was predeceased by three brothers, Frank Terranova, Ralph Terranova and Vincent Terranova and a sister, Olympia Terranova. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Angela Terranova; two daughters, Margaret Greco of Colts Neck, NJ and Amanda DeLeonibus and her husband, Pasquale of Freehold Township, NJ; a son, Gino T. Terranova, Jr. of Mahopac, NY; nine grandchildren, Adam Greco, Roxanne Greco, Peter John DeLeonibus, Alyssa DeLeonibus, Amber Terranova, Gina Terranova, Luke Terranova, Angela Morales, and Nicholas Terranova; four great grandchildren, Angelina, Gianna, Nicholas and Ezra; two brothers, Archimedes Terranova of Florida and Mario Terranova of Staten Island; two sisters, Gina Ofrias of Long Island and Florence Tumillo of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 9:00 for the procession to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township for his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass. Inurnment will be at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle NJ Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown at the convenience of the family. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps League Staten Island #1 Detachment 246, Scholarship Fund, 46 Ontario Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.