Obituary of Louis John Ginefra
Louis Ginefra passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the age of 89. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, as well as an active community member and contributor to numerous civic organizations.
A native of Orange, NJ, Louis lived in Caldwell with his wife, Carol of 52 years. He served proudly in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Sergeant during the Korean War. His credits as both Chaplain and Commander of AMVETS Post 70 of Bloomfield, NJ, included supporting local military veterans and outreach programs. Louis had often been invited to speak at municipal events and AMVETS ceremonies, and was an active member of AMVETS Department of NJ.
As an enthusiastic photographer, Mr.Ginefra could be seen year after year, with camera in hand at the West Caldwell Gazebo Summer Concerts, the West Essex and Bloomfield, NJ, Memorial Day Parades, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Ice Cream Social, and countless veterans' affairs. Always with a smile, a joke, or a friendly remark, he captured thousands of memories for friends and strangers alike. For many years, he spread Christmas joy to both children and the elderly, entertaining as Santa Claus at area public events and nursing homes.
In addition to his dedication to the Caldwell community, Louis was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 185, of Caldwell, and along with his family was an active supporter of the West Essex First Aid Squad.
Always mindful of his heritage, Louis was awarded the 2017 Paul Ippillito Memorial Award by the Sons of Italy Padre Pio Lodge 2350 where he was also an active member. Additionally, he was recognized throughout the entire North Jersey area as a distinguished United States Army Veteran, a nostalgic Italian-American, a kind and friendly soul, and above all, a loyal family man who was thankful for his many blessings! He will be dearly missed by his devoted wife Carol, daughter Coleen and her husband Frank Verrone, daughter Lisa and her husband Vincent DeCroce, son John and his girlfriend Kate Santalla, and his grandchildren, Frank, Gina, and Alyssa, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends at the Codey & Jones Funeral Home, 54 Roseland Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 on Friday, March 23rd from 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Aloysius R.C. Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell on Saturday, March 24th at 10:00 am. The interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ with Military Honors. To extend a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lou's memory to the Sons of Italy Padre Pio Lodge #2350, 16 Peniston Ave., E. Hanover, NJ 07936 or the West Essex First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 662, West Caldwell, NJ 07007-0662 (https://westessexfas.org/donation/) would be appreciated.