Obituary for Joseph C. Tenaglia
JOSEPH C. TENAGLIA, age 83, of Wildwood Crest, NJ passed away with peace and love in his heart for his family on November 1, 2022.
Devoted Husband of 57 years to Maria (nee Pacitti). Loving Father to Joseph C Tenaglia Jr, Mario Tenaglia (Joelle), and Vincent Tenaglia (Cynthia). Beloved Grandfather to Isabella, Vincent Jr, Mario Jr, Joseph, Alassandra, and Giuseppe. Dear Brother to Aldo Tenaglia (Maria), Anna Tenaglia Ryan (Mark Drais), and Rocco Tenaglia.
Giuseppe Concetto Tenaglia was born on December 8, 1938 in Filetto, Chieti, Italia to the late Vincenzo and Emma Tenaglia.
Joe began his journey in a small Italian hill town in Abruzzo…and a journey it was that this great man would travel over a beautiful and blessed lifetime. He learned the value of hard work in farming, basic schooling, and the joys of a life worth living. In 1955, at 17 years old, his parents moved themselves along with Joe and his siblings to the United States. They traversed the Atlantic as a family on a 10 day voyage aboard the Il Vulcania to dock in New York Harbor. From there, they made their way to their new home in Philadelphia, PA.
Joe began working jobs painting Saint statues in NYC and as a dishwasher/cook at Palumbo’s Restaurant in South Philadelphia. His boss there saw more in him and introduced Joe to his friend, Charlie Kane, who owned Laminated Materials and hired and befriended Joe immediately. He worked there for 20 years. While at Laminated, he found in front of him the opportunity to purchase a small apartment building on Morris St in North Philadelphia and so began the hospitality sense that soon would become his career.
At this point, Joe had already met the love of his life, Maria, and they married in 1965 with their first son, Joseph Jr, born in 1966. Mario followed soon after with his birth as their second son in 1967. Vincent arrived as their third born in 1975. And the journey of his own family became proudly set in stone.
In 1972, he also came to buy the Melrose Apartments in Wildwood, NJ as he had vacationed there with his family regularly during the summers on Poplar Ave. He and Maria, along with their young family in tow, operated it during the summers until 1976 when Joe moved his wife and children to Wildwood Crest, NJ permanently. They sold everything and bought The Viking Motel and the beginning of a new home was established. In 1980, The Viking was sold and he went on to buy The Sands Resort and eventually added the Syracuse Motel and The Summer Sands Motel to his ownership. There, Joe, Maria and their boys developed their hospitality love and success until 2004 when the moment came for a full retirement to settle into Joe’s life.
Joe now had all the personal time to enjoy his growing family life as never before and did just this for the next 18 years until today. Though retired, he always kept busy in his garden, doing odd jobs around the home, helping his sons and grandchildren with projects, traveling and just plain living his life in full. His love of Philadelphia Sports led his passion as he shared it with his family, friends, and anyone who would sit with him...there were few things as important as the Eagles, Phillies, Union, Flyers and Sixers. He volunteered devotedly for Our Lady Star of The Sea Church doing their annual car raffle drive and became loved in his Church community as well. He visited his beloved family and friends in Italy as often as possible over the years. Mario and Vincent, his sons, each married and gave their parents their greatest gifts … 6 grandchildren! His life has been blessed and lived to the absolute fullest.
Relatives and Friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St, Cape May, NJ 08204, immediately followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Procession to Entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, Cape May, NJ.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, contributions in Joseph’s memory may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Share memories at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com
Devoted Husband of 57 years to Maria (nee Pacitti). Loving Father to Joseph C Tenaglia Jr, Mario Tenaglia (Joelle), and Vincent Tenaglia (Cynthia). Beloved Grandfather to Isabella, Vincent Jr, Mario Jr, Joseph, Alassandra, and Giuseppe. Dear Brother to Aldo Tenaglia (Maria), Anna Tenaglia Ryan (Mark Drais), and Rocco Tenaglia.
Giuseppe Concetto Tenaglia was born on December 8, 1938 in Filetto, Chieti, Italia to the late Vincenzo and Emma Tenaglia.
Joe began his journey in a small Italian hill town in Abruzzo…and a journey it was that this great man would travel over a beautiful and blessed lifetime. He learned the value of hard work in farming, basic schooling, and the joys of a life worth living. In 1955, at 17 years old, his parents moved themselves along with Joe and his siblings to the United States. They traversed the Atlantic as a family on a 10 day voyage aboard the Il Vulcania to dock in New York Harbor. From there, they made their way to their new home in Philadelphia, PA.
Joe began working jobs painting Saint statues in NYC and as a dishwasher/cook at Palumbo’s Restaurant in South Philadelphia. His boss there saw more in him and introduced Joe to his friend, Charlie Kane, who owned Laminated Materials and hired and befriended Joe immediately. He worked there for 20 years. While at Laminated, he found in front of him the opportunity to purchase a small apartment building on Morris St in North Philadelphia and so began the hospitality sense that soon would become his career.
At this point, Joe had already met the love of his life, Maria, and they married in 1965 with their first son, Joseph Jr, born in 1966. Mario followed soon after with his birth as their second son in 1967. Vincent arrived as their third born in 1975. And the journey of his own family became proudly set in stone.
In 1972, he also came to buy the Melrose Apartments in Wildwood, NJ as he had vacationed there with his family regularly during the summers on Poplar Ave. He and Maria, along with their young family in tow, operated it during the summers until 1976 when Joe moved his wife and children to Wildwood Crest, NJ permanently. They sold everything and bought The Viking Motel and the beginning of a new home was established. In 1980, The Viking was sold and he went on to buy The Sands Resort and eventually added the Syracuse Motel and The Summer Sands Motel to his ownership. There, Joe, Maria and their boys developed their hospitality love and success until 2004 when the moment came for a full retirement to settle into Joe’s life.
Joe now had all the personal time to enjoy his growing family life as never before and did just this for the next 18 years until today. Though retired, he always kept busy in his garden, doing odd jobs around the home, helping his sons and grandchildren with projects, traveling and just plain living his life in full. His love of Philadelphia Sports led his passion as he shared it with his family, friends, and anyone who would sit with him...there were few things as important as the Eagles, Phillies, Union, Flyers and Sixers. He volunteered devotedly for Our Lady Star of The Sea Church doing their annual car raffle drive and became loved in his Church community as well. He visited his beloved family and friends in Italy as often as possible over the years. Mario and Vincent, his sons, each married and gave their parents their greatest gifts … 6 grandchildren! His life has been blessed and lived to the absolute fullest.
Relatives and Friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St, Cape May, NJ 08204, immediately followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Procession to Entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, Cape May, NJ.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, contributions in Joseph’s memory may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Share memories at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com