Obituary of Salvatore Nicholas Zaffarese Jr

The funeral mass can be live streamed by clicking HERE.

Salvatore Nicholas Zaffarese Jr. of Mendham, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at the age of 80.

Sal was born on February 12, 1944 to Salvatore and Joan "Helen" (nee Wertowitch) Zaffarese in Manhattan Borough. Sal married the love of his life, Flora (nee D'Aloia), on July 19, 1969.

Sal is survived by his devoted wife Flora, their sons Salvatore Nicholas Zaffarese III "Butch" and John (Marcella) Zaffarese, and their grandsons Giovanni and Antonino Zaffarese. Sal also leaves behind his brothers Raymond, John, Nick, Thomas and Vincent, and his sisters Palma, Ramona, Linda, Helen, Josie, Joanie and Annie.

Sal began working at the age of 13 delivering groceries to neighbors and conducting Bingo sessions at his neighborhood church. Sal enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and he proudly served his country for 4 years of active duty. Upon his honorable discharge, he served 2 years of inactive duty in the Marines Reserve Unit. After military service, Sal was employed by IBEW Local 3 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) in New York City, where he worked as an electrician and foreman for 39 years. In retirement, Sal maintained the facilities at the Mendham Area Senior Housing and the Chester Area Senior Housing.

Throughout his long and happy life, Sal remained steadfast in his devotion to his family and his friends. By his fine example, he taught his cherished sons, Butch and John, to live by the principles of hard work, honesty, loyalty and compassion. Sal applied these principles to every task and every person he encountered, both at work and in his personal life. He could often be heard saying how important it was to "do the right thing." When it came to family and friends, and to anyone in need, Sal was always ready to lend a hand; he could always be counted on to show up with a smile on his face and his trademark sense of humor. Sal filled each day of his life with joyful laughter and he spread happiness wherever he went. His kind and gentle manner endeared him to both people and animals. Sal lovingly raised homing pigeons from the time he was young boy. A deer he named "Semolina" ate semolina bread from his hand for many summers. He would call to Semolina each day after work and she would come running to him. And most recently, Butch's parrot, "Rocky," would stand watch over Sal's every move, regularly peeking under the cover of his cage during the night to check on his beloved Sal. Sal took tremendous pleasure in all that life had to offer, but some of his happiest moments were spent with his much adored grandsons, Giovanni and Antonino. They brought endless hours of joy to their grandfather, whom they affectionately called "DD." One of Earth's brightest lights has been extinguished with Sal's passing.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 26th from 12-8  PM at the Bailey Funeral Home in Peapack, 176 Main Street, Peapack, NJ 07977. A Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, March 27th, at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph Church, 8 W. Main Street Mendham NJ, immediately followed by a burial in Hilltop Cemetery, 18 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ.  In lieu of flowers donations in Sal's name may be made toTrue North Behavioral Health for Veterans.   Checks should be make out and mailed to Foundation for Morristown Medical Center 310 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960 with "True North" in the notes section.  Donations can be made online by clicking here and designate Veterans Support Fund. 

The funeral mass can be live streamed by clicking HERE.