Obituary of Angelo G Sibilia

Angelo G. Sibilia of Palmer Township, PA, formerly of Nutley, NJ died peacefully at home after a brave battle with cancer. He was born on December 18th, 1932 in Newark, NJ, the youngest of nine children of Angelo and Philomena (Cordasco) Sibilia. He graduated from West Side High School in 1950 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army stationed at Camp Pickett in Virginia.

In 1956, while at a newsstand in Newark, he noticed a pretty, blonde 19 year old girl buying a newspaper. Intrigued by the fact that it was a NY Times, he struck up a conversation with her and got her name (Sandy) but not her phone number. Unable to stop thinking about her he spent the next couple of days combing through the phone book calling every household with the same last name eventually locating her. They were married on October 21, 1956 and would welcome a son Michael and a daughter, Lisa. Sandy was the love of his life and they were happily married until her death in 2002.

In March of 1959, he joined the Newark Fire Department and would serve the city until his retirement in 1993, earning several commendations. For the majority of his career, he was stationed at one of the busiest firehouses of the inner city – Engine 20, where it was not uncommon to just respond to fire calls, but also to car accidents, stabbings and shootings as well.

Angelo was an avid reader and loved anything to do with history and travel, particularly Italy. He also loved his food (especially his desserts). Mostly however, he loved his family, not just immediate but extended as well. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by brothers Tony and John, sisters Marie, Agnes, Yolanda, Josephine, and Ellen. He is survived by his son Michael and daughter-in-law Kelly of San Jose, CA; daughter Lisa Rhinehart and son-in-law Scott of Annandale, NJ; grandchildren Derek (Jessica), Jamie (Spencer), Nick, Austin, Connor and Paige; great grandsons Corson and Landon; brother Jerry; brothers-in-law Peter Warren and John DeGroot; sisters-in-law Marietta Sibilia and Carla Warren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 10th, 2017 at Martin Funeral Home 1761 Route 31, Clinton, NJ. Gathering begins at 11:30 with service to start at noon. Donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, one of the many charities Angelo supported.