Obituary: Joseph S. DeMarzo, 75, of Madison

Joseph S. DeMarzo, 75

“When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) U.S. poet 

Joseph S. DeMarzo of Madison, NJ passed away on October 12, 2011 at Morristown Memorial Hospital after a long illness, with his family by his side.

Mr. DeMarzo was born in Madison on February 17, 1936 and was proud to be a lifelong resident of Madison. He attended St. Vincent Martyr School and then Madison High School. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church. Additionally, Mr. DeMarzo honorably served his country in the United States National Guard rising to the rank of Sergeant with Company A of the 113^th Tank Battalion.

On November 1, 1958, Mr. DeMarzo married the love of his life, Florence DeMarzo (Passarella). “Joe and Flo” celebrated life together everyday. Their love for each other was immeasurable.  Together, they raised four children, Samuel, Joseph, Jr., James, and Michele. Mr. DeMarzo took great pride in his family, and left this world knowing that his family surrounded him with their love.     

At a very young age, Mr. DeMarzo mastered the craft of carpentry. In 1952, Mr. DeMarzo began building custom made colonial homes and formed S. DeMarzo and Sons Builders with his father Samuel and brother Dominick, and later was joined by his brother Eugene. Mr. DeMarzo concentrated his efforts in the Madison, Chatham, Chatham Township, Harding, and Florham Park municipalities. Mr. DeMarzo built several hundred homes, constructing many streets and neighborhoods over the decades. Today, two of his sons, Samuel and Joseph Jr., along with his grandson, Samuel Jr., carry on his vision and tradition of superior quality built homes.  

Mr. DeMarzo was a licensed realtor in the State of New Jersey and a member of the NJ Association of Home Builders. He prided himself on constructing custom homes of exceptional quality and distinction. While he enjoyed much success in the building industry, he also was known for his kindness and generosity. Mr. DeMarzo dedicated parks, recreational facilities, and open space to his hometown. In addition, Mr. DeMarzo quietly helped those in need, supported his church-- St. Vincent Martyr, the Sisters of Charity-- and many of the cloistered sisters of the Catholic faith. Mr. DeMarzo never sought fame or recognition, preferring to live life as Christ would want him to. 

Mr. DeMarzo enjoyed spending time in Marco Island, Florida with his friends and family. He was known to tell a few jokes, and he enjoyed making others laugh.

He is predeceased by his mother, Lucy DeMarzo (Del Duca), his father, Samuel DeMarzo, and his brother Dominick DeMarzo.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 53 years Florence “Flo” DeMarzo (Passarella), their children and their spouses and his grandchildren; his son Samuel DeMarzo and his wife Teresa, their children Joseph, Samuel Jr., and Christine; his son Joseph DeMarzo, Jr. and his wife Deborah, their children Annmarie, Maria, Joseph, III, and Emelia; his son the Honorable James DeMarzo and his wife Maria, their children Melissa, Kimberly and Joseph; his daughter Michele de Burgh Codrington (DeMarzo) and her husband Simon, and their son Alexander. 

He is also survived by his loving sisters Caroline Romano (DeMarzo), Rose Ferdinand (DeMarzo), and Lucille Esposito (DeMarzo), his brother Eugene “Skip” Wright and his wife Lynn, and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Monday, October 17^th at 9:00AM from the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison, NJ. Visitation will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00PM and from 7:00 to 9:00PM. A funeral Mass will take place at 10:00AM at Saint Vincent Martyr Church in Madison. Interment will take place at Saint Vincent’s Cemetery in Madison. In lieu of flowers, donations to Madison Volunteer Ambulance Core or Madison PBA Local 92 in his memory would be appreciated.