Santo Bongiovanni
Santo Bongiovanni Obituary
Santo was born in San Pier Niceto, Sicily on March 1st, 1935. In 1953 he left Italy to join his father Pietro and brother Antonio in Venezuela. When allowed to legally immigrate to America in 1955 he joined his Uncle Bob-Robert Bongiovanni in New Brunswick NJ. His first job in America was with Douglas College and then went to work for Bond Clothing. He met his wife Concetta Appignani in 1957 and married in 1959. They bought their first house in Highland Park NJ where they resided for 64 years. He started working at Joe’s Barbara Shop for Mr. Fierro. After Mr. Fierro retired, Santo was able to purchase the business. He was a member of the Master Barbers Union. He worked in the barber shop until he retired at age 70. He always enjoyed seeing his customers. What gave him pleasure during his long career was seeing customers that he gave them their first haircut and then years later the same customer bringing their children to the shop for their first cut. He remembered all customers names and profession. In retirement he enjoyed the winter in Florida and the summers in Long Beach Island with children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. He had an amazing gift in gardening. His green thumb taught many people how to grow the best figs, tomatoes, basil, parsley, flowers and much more. Everyone that passed by his home in Highland Park were in awe of his rose garden.
He is survived by his wife Concetta of 66 years of marriage, his three children Maria Bongiovanni, Robert Bongiovanni and his wife Laura, Yolanda Fusco and her husband Brennan, and six grandchildren. Rose Corbet, Richard Corbet III, Justin Fusco, Sophia Bongiovanni, Cassidy Fusco and Concetta Fusco. In addition, he is survived by many nephews and nieces that he loved very much, his cousins Francesca Formica, Antonetta Bongiovanni, Angela Formica, Salvatore Micali, Andrea Formica from San Pier Niceto, Sicily.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a visitation at Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, 17 S. Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park, NJ on Monday February 24, 2025 between the hours of 2 pm to 6 pm. Parking is available immediately behind the funeral home or on S. Adelaide Avenue. On Tuesday February 25, 2025 at 9:00 am gather at the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral home and then will proceed for a Mass of the Christian burial will be offered at 10 am at St Mary’s Church, 198 Sandford St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901. His remains will be entombed at Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway, NJ immediately after the funeral mass. In Lieu of Flowers, please contribute in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or plant a tree in his memory.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Santo Bongiovanni, please visit our floral store.
Services
February 24, 2025
2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home
17 S. Adelaide Avenue
Highland Park, NJ 08904
February 25, 2025
10:00 AM
St. Mary Church
198 Sanford Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
February 25, 2025
12:00 PM
Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway