Obituary of Antonio Calabrese

South Plainfield - Antonio Calabrese, 90, died suddenly at home on Monday, January 6, 2014. Born and raised in Melizzano, Italy, Tony immigrated to the United States in 1953 settling to South Plainfield. For 50 years, Tony worked for the Plainfield Country Club in Edison as a Greenskeeper. A talented gardener and landscape artist, Tony was well known for his home grown tomatoes and wine. He was often seen by many local residents working around his yard or down at the West 9 Golf Course and Plainfield Country Club tending to the greens. Tony attended Sacred Heart RC Church in South Plainfield, where during the construction of the current building assisted the church with their landscaping. Fond of his Italian heritage, Tony was a founding member of the South Plainfield Italian American Progressive League and was instrumental in the construction of the original building. He enjoyed playing bocci ball and for decades Tony was a regular at the Clubs' annual Sunday afternoon card game. In addition, Tony was proud to be listed on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor by The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation Inc. He is survived by his wife Concetta Calabrese, his two daughters; Gina Solazzo and her husband Anthony of Watchung and Josephine "Jo" Jacobs and her husband Stephen of Jacksonville Fl, a sister Carmella Perna of Italy, his two grandchildren; Jennifer Ricci and her husband Fred and Erick Anderson and his wife Cristina and his three great grandchildren; Lucas and Roman Ricci and Elle Anderson. Tony will also be missed by several of his extend family members and dear friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 10, 2014 at 9:15AM in the McCriskin - Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield, NJ followed by a 10:00AM funeral mass at Sacred Heart RC Church, South Plainfield. Entombment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery Mausoleum, South Plainfield. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2014 from 4-8PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations have been requested to the Plainfield's Unico Chapter, C/O 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080