Gustav Ovarsi

Gustav Ovarsi, 84, passed away on March 13, 2017.

Born in Newark, Gus and his four sisters and brother were raised in an extremely close-knit family in Hoboken, NJ.

His parents, Gustavo and Maria Antoinette (Gabriele) immigrated from Italy through Ellis Island in the 1920s. Gus was very close to his brother, Mario, just 11 months younger. The family never quite got over the tragic death of Mario in a terrible accident at the age of 11. After Mario's death, Gus's mother and sisters became even more protective of him and in particular, his beloved sister Linda became his constant companion - they were lifelong best friends.

As a young man, Gus was a fun-loving person who loved fishing, crabbing, cars and his Indian motorcycle. He enjoyed raising pigeons and his German Shepard, King. In 1956, Gus married his kid sister Nan's best friend, Betti Ryan. They would be celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary in two weeks (April 1st). In exactly four weeks (April 13th) Gus would have had his 85th birthday.

Gus spent his career as a Local 560 trucker. He and Betti bought their home in Rutherford in 1967. Gus loved his home, and enjoyed doing his own home improvements and had a particular fondness for taking care of his lawn. It was a very difficult time for Gus when he was no longer well enough to manage his lawn maintenance. Our family wishes to thank Mario Esposito, landscaper, for the patience and kindness he showed to our dad during that stressful time.

Gus won community awards for his exterior home improvements and for his home holiday decorations.

Gus was a hardworking man devoted to his family. He loved his home, and in his later years spent most of his time sitting outside, smiling at everyone who walked by.

In addition to his wife, Gus is survived by his daughters, Michele Jeanneret of Howell, NJ, Jolyn O'Connor and her husband Jim of Hackensack NJ and Schroon Lake NY, son Gus Ovarsi Jr. and his wife Jodi of Rutherford.

Gus's life lit up with the addition of his beloved grandchildren. He leaves behind his first grandchild who changed his tough-guy persona into a lovable Grandpa, Danielle Dalfonzo and her husband, Anthony of Freehold NJ, his granddaughter Lacey Garner of New York City who spent hours and hours sitting on the couch next to her beloved Grandpa happily listening to every one of his stories, his only grandson, James Garner of Nutley, who showed immense love and devotion to his grandpa especially during the last and very challenging years of his life, his granddaughter Olivia Ovarsi and her mom Brenda Shafer. Olivia had the most special relationship of all with her Grandpa spending much of her life with her grandparents, and granddaughters Cassidy and Charlotte Ovarsi who moved back to NJ during the last few months of his life, adding much joy.

Gus is also survived by his loving sisters Eva Ovarsi-Grimaldi of Toms River, NJ, Linda Vukusich and her husband, Mike of Palisades Park, NJ and Nanette Fagan and her husband, Raymond of Texas. Gus leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and brother, Gus was pre-deceased by his sister, Ione Posluszny, and his son-in-law, Ken Jeanneret who passed away one month ago.

Gus also lost three brothers-in-law, Jack Miller, Ralph Grimaldi and Stan Posluszny.

The family would also like to thank Dr. Sarika Sharma for the love and care she showed to Gus over the last several years of his life.
Funeral Friday 10AM at the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Rd., Lyndhurst. Interment Hillside Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday 3-7PM.