Obituary for Peter Carmen "Pete" Gilberti
GILBERTI, Peter (Pete) Carmen, of Hardyston, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. He was 80 years old. Peter was born and raised in Paterson. A longtime resident of Morse Lakes, Bloomingdale where he raised his beloved family, he also resided in Whiting and Hardyston.
Peter was predeceased by his loving parents, John and Lena Gilberti, his brother Anthony (Whitey) Gilberti, his in-laws Vincent and Lucy Galante, and his son-in-law, James Fuchs.
Peter loved his family deeply. They were always his top priority, no matter the circumstances. He provided for them in so many ways during his lifetime: a safe home, food on the table, quality time spent together, many fun vacations and outings, but most of all he provided unconditional love. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of almost 59 years, Joan (Galante) Gilberti, of Hardyston, daughters Cheryl (Gilberti) Fuchs (and granddog Jack) of Ringwood, Lori (Gilberti) Driscoll and husband Edward, of West Milford, and Janine (Gilberti) O’Hare and husband Thomas of Sparta, grandchildren, Jessica (Driscoll) and Robert Rodriguez, Peter and Melissa (Alfonso) Driscoll, Marissa Driscoll, Marina, Madison, Maura, Matthew and Mia O’Hare (and granddog Coby), great-grandchildren, RJ and Sophia Rodriguez, step-grandsons Kyle Fuchs of Reno, NV and Sean Fuchs of South Lake Tahoe, CA, cousin Lee (Farrell) Liers, of Davie, FL, niece Dawn (Liers) Navon of Cooper City, FL, nephew Marc Liers of North Miami Beach, FL, brother-in-law Vincent Galante and wife Bette, of Martinsville, VA, nephew Christopher Galante and wife Nicole of Charlotte, NC, niece Heather Galante of Martinsville, VA, best friend Robert Weingarten of Bloomingdale, NJ, and many other family members and wonderful friends.
Pete was one of the kindest, gentlest, and most good-natured men there were. He was always the true life of the party, with the funniest jokes and stories. He loved his children’s friends like they were his own, and many of them considered him a second father, even when he (pretended to) forgot their names. He was affectionately known as "Poppie Pete" to all of his grandchildren's friends. He had many, many lifelong friends with whom he enjoyed so many great times. He was an avid fisherman, golfer, NY Giants, and NY Yankees fan. He loved dogs and cats and would sit in his driveway each morning with biscuits for the dogs out for their morning walks. He also enjoyed his "daily" naps. A real cool guy, he was loved by all who knew him.
Peter fought a 9 month physical and emotional battle with strength and determination. He refused to give up and always saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly, Peter contracted COVID-19 at a nursing facility and passed away. A warrior to the end, he is no longer struggling or in pain, and has been reunited with all of those who passed before him.
Peter was a devoted Catholic and his strong belief in Jesus comforted him throughout his journey. He was a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Hardyston. Due to the current crisis, a memorial mass will be held at Saint Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes followed by a celebration of Peter’s life, to be planned at a future date.
Please consider a donation in Peter’s memory to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund at www.NJPRF.org The NJPRF exists to meet four critical challenges of our state in the face of the COVID-19 crisis: stop the spread, support the healthcare community, provide help for the vulnerable, and rebuild our communities. NJPRF supports organizations that provide essential services and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic. One hundred percent of all online donations will go directly to help those in need.
The Gilberti family is in the care of the Aloia Funeral Home, 180 Harrison Ave., Garfield (973-340-7077). Condolences visit aloiafuneral.com
Peter was predeceased by his loving parents, John and Lena Gilberti, his brother Anthony (Whitey) Gilberti, his in-laws Vincent and Lucy Galante, and his son-in-law, James Fuchs.
Peter loved his family deeply. They were always his top priority, no matter the circumstances. He provided for them in so many ways during his lifetime: a safe home, food on the table, quality time spent together, many fun vacations and outings, but most of all he provided unconditional love. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of almost 59 years, Joan (Galante) Gilberti, of Hardyston, daughters Cheryl (Gilberti) Fuchs (and granddog Jack) of Ringwood, Lori (Gilberti) Driscoll and husband Edward, of West Milford, and Janine (Gilberti) O’Hare and husband Thomas of Sparta, grandchildren, Jessica (Driscoll) and Robert Rodriguez, Peter and Melissa (Alfonso) Driscoll, Marissa Driscoll, Marina, Madison, Maura, Matthew and Mia O’Hare (and granddog Coby), great-grandchildren, RJ and Sophia Rodriguez, step-grandsons Kyle Fuchs of Reno, NV and Sean Fuchs of South Lake Tahoe, CA, cousin Lee (Farrell) Liers, of Davie, FL, niece Dawn (Liers) Navon of Cooper City, FL, nephew Marc Liers of North Miami Beach, FL, brother-in-law Vincent Galante and wife Bette, of Martinsville, VA, nephew Christopher Galante and wife Nicole of Charlotte, NC, niece Heather Galante of Martinsville, VA, best friend Robert Weingarten of Bloomingdale, NJ, and many other family members and wonderful friends.
Pete was one of the kindest, gentlest, and most good-natured men there were. He was always the true life of the party, with the funniest jokes and stories. He loved his children’s friends like they were his own, and many of them considered him a second father, even when he (pretended to) forgot their names. He was affectionately known as "Poppie Pete" to all of his grandchildren's friends. He had many, many lifelong friends with whom he enjoyed so many great times. He was an avid fisherman, golfer, NY Giants, and NY Yankees fan. He loved dogs and cats and would sit in his driveway each morning with biscuits for the dogs out for their morning walks. He also enjoyed his "daily" naps. A real cool guy, he was loved by all who knew him.
Peter fought a 9 month physical and emotional battle with strength and determination. He refused to give up and always saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly, Peter contracted COVID-19 at a nursing facility and passed away. A warrior to the end, he is no longer struggling or in pain, and has been reunited with all of those who passed before him.
Peter was a devoted Catholic and his strong belief in Jesus comforted him throughout his journey. He was a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Church, Hardyston. Due to the current crisis, a memorial mass will be held at Saint Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes followed by a celebration of Peter’s life, to be planned at a future date.
Please consider a donation in Peter’s memory to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund at www.NJPRF.org The NJPRF exists to meet four critical challenges of our state in the face of the COVID-19 crisis: stop the spread, support the healthcare community, provide help for the vulnerable, and rebuild our communities. NJPRF supports organizations that provide essential services and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic. One hundred percent of all online donations will go directly to help those in need.
The Gilberti family is in the care of the Aloia Funeral Home, 180 Harrison Ave., Garfield (973-340-7077). Condolences visit aloiafuneral.com