Obituary of Lucia DeCaro

Lucia DeCaro (née DeRosa), a longtime Madison resident, died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. She was 80.

Lucia was born in the town of Cicciano in Naples, Italy on September 4, 1940 to the late Carmine and Lucia DeRosa (née Napolitano). Lucia and her mother emigrated to the United States when she was 14 years old, settling in Scranton, PA with her uncle. After the rest of the family reconnected with her mother and her in the United States, many of them relocated and settled in Madison where Lucia has lived since. She attended St. Vincent Martyr School and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church.

Lucia met her beloved husband, the late James G. DeCaro, on the Circle Line cruise in New York City. The two became inseparable and were married on July 23, 1960. Lucia worked as a cafeteria worker at Exxon Corp/CVI Service Group in Florham Park, but her most important job was that of a loving wife, world’s best mother to her five children and grandmother of twelve.

Lucia was full of love and life. She was an easy-going woman that treasured the simple things in life, never losing sight that family is everything. Lucia put family and friends first and would help anyone in need.

Lucia was a wonderful cook, especially of traditional Italian dishes like lasagna, braciola, cavatelli and broccoli, meatballs, and her famous Easter pies. She loved having her family gather for holidays and cooking them incredible dinners for the occasion. Lucia also enjoyed car rides and spending time shopping with her sisters, who were very dear to her. She also enjoyed taking trips to local farms with her husband to pick apples and peaches.

Lucia will be remembered as a loving and giving wife, mother & grandmother with a big heart. Her bright spirit and loving, caring presence will be deeply missed. We all take comfort in knowing that she is at peace and reunited once again with her husband, parents, siblings and friends.

In addition to her parents, Lucia was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, James G. DeCaro, on April 23, 2020; one brother, Pasquale DeRosa; one sister, Helen Plante; one brother-in-law, Richard Truzzolino; her sons-in-law, Michael Peterson and Darius Eslami;  She is survived by three sons, James P. DeCaro and his wife, Vida, Carmine J. DeCaro and his wife, Wendy & Alphonse C. DeCaro and his wife, Linda; two daughters, Antoinette Peterson & Lucille Eslami; her sisters, Phylis Vogel and her husband, John & Theresa Truzzolino; one sister-in-law, Antoinette DeRosa; twelve cherished grandchildren, Marissa, Jimmy, Gina, Thomas, Lorenzo, Nicole, Sarah, Alexandra, Emily, Lillianna, Sophia and Ellena; many loving nieces & nephews, and many dear friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Lucia’s life held from 2:00PM to 4:00PM & 6:00PM to 9:00PM on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. All may gather at the funeral home for a final visitation at 8:30AM on Friday, May 21, 2021, followed by a 9:30AM Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. For those that wish, you may attend the Funeral Liturgy virtually via livestream by visiting www.svmnj.org at 9:30AM. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lucia’s memory to the Pulmonary Wellness Foundation, 10 East 38th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016