Arthur Passafaro

Arthur Passafaro, 87, of Simpsonville, SC, formerly of Fairfield, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 15, 2015. A memorial service will be held at the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 7 Two Bridges Road, Fairfield on Saturday, July 11th from 12-2 PM with a service at 1 PM. Arthur was born in Rumford, Maine, to Leonardo & Paola Passafaro. He was part of the first generation of his family to be born in the United States. Arthur and his family moved to North Caldwell, NJ during the 1930's before eventually moving to Fairfield, NJ in 1955 with his loving wife, Marian Passafaro, where he would reside for most of his life. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1947. Education was always important to him. After high school he received his electrician's license. Then later became a self taught carpenter among other things. He combined his skills to build two homes for himself on a double lot in Fairfield, as well as a home for his son Arthur in Sparta, NJ. Arthur was a very talented jack of all trades kind of man. Plumbing, electrical, construction, if you needed something fixed or built he was always happy to help. He had a kind heart and was very generous with his time. He even volunteered his time to help build sets for some of the theater productions at Heritage Middle School in Livingston, NJ. Arthur loved learning and trying new things, including parasailing when he was in his seventies. He was always up for an adventure and loved to travel. One of his favorite places to visit was the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mr. Passafaro was a supervisor at General Hose in Fairfield, NJ for 18 years before retiring in 1991 from Edward's Engineering in Pompton Plains, NJ. Arthur is survived by his three daughters, Shirley Hales (Earl), Lorraine Passafaro, and Geraldine Finnegan (David); 7 grandchildren, Jed, Michael, Randy, Cindy, Cristopher, David and Michael; 11 great-grandchildren; and his sister Margaret Di Giacomo. He was predeceased by his wife Marian (nee Dhuyvetter), son Arthur, brothers: Anthony, Marcello, Dominic & Salvatore and sisters: Rose Gorman & Theresa Carnovale. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, 1347 Perrineville Road, Monroe Township NJ 08831 or Native American Heritage Association, PO Box 512, Rapid City SD 57709.