Obituary of Rose Marie Passafaro

Rose Passafaro (née Rosina Pressimone), 96, of North Caldwell, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at Crane's Mill in West Caldwell, NJ. Visitation will be at the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 on Monday, June 5th from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame R.C. Church, 359 Central Avenue, North Caldwell, NJ 07006 on Tuesday, June 6th at 11:00 am. The entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ. To extend condolences or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com. Born in Manhattan, New York to the late Francesco and Rosina Pressimone, Mrs. Passafaro moved to New Jersey as a young girl. She lived in several places before moving to North Caldwell, where she and her husband, Salvatore, raised their family. She attended Montville Public School, where she was class Salutatorian in 1935, and Boonton High School. During the Second World War, Rose embodied the spirit of "Rosie the Riveter" while making bomb carriers for the Eastern Tool and Manufacturing Company. In June 1943, she and her coworkers were recognized for their meritorious efforts by winning the Army-Navy Production Award (also known as the Army-Navy "E" Award). Only three percent of the manufacturing plants engaged in the production of war materials at that time had been so honored. Before retiring in the early 1960s to become a full-time homemaker, Rose worked for several other companies including Condurso's Farms, Beverly Handbag Company, Westinghouse Electric Co., and Greenbrook Poultry Farm. Rose was an active and founding member of the Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell, serving the community in a variety of ministries relating to church beautification and worship. During the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony in the 1960s, she held the holy water used by the church's founding pastor, Rev. John E. Murphy. Rose was predeceased by Salvatore, her husband of 72 years; a brother, Louis Pressimone; and a sister, Aurelia ("Ray") Rossi. Surviving are her children David (Charleen), Rosemarie Ribaudo, Allen, and Rosanne Scriffignano (Anthony); a sister, Josephine Ezzi; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the PBA local 81 at P.O. Box 81, Essex Fells, NJ 07021 or the Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey at 3 Manhattan Drive, Burlington, NJ 08016.