Obituary of Elaine Nunziato

Elaine Marie Nunziato passed away with her family by her side on April 11, 2025. She was 91.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Nicholas and Adele (Dora) Sarkees, Elaine lived in Staten Island, NY, and Basking Ridge, NJ, before moving to Washington to be with her daughter in 2019. She was a woman of faith and attended St. Brigid Church with her family.

Elaine studied French when she was young and did so well that she had been asked to work as an interpreter for the United Nations but had other plans for her life. She married the love of her life, Joseph Nunziato, on June 14,1958 and was a doting and loving wife until his passing in 2012. She centered her entire world around her family, maintaining close relationships with her siblings through her life, and staying home after her children were born to care for them full time. She was an incredible homemaker and kept an immaculate household, taking a lot of pride in her home and her appearance. Elaine loved nothing more than being a grandmother and great grandmother, attending every game, play, and school function for her grandsons. In the last few years of her life, her smile was biggest when her great grandson was around.

Elaine is predeceased by her parents, Nicholas and Adele Sarkees, her beloved husband of 54 years, Joseph Nunziato, her brother George Sarkees, and sisters Dolores Kaidy and Shirley Tavares. She is survived by her daughter, Rita (Tony Guzzi) Harrigan, and son David (Fran) Nunziato, grandsons Nicholas Nunziato, and Thomas and Joseph Harrigan, and great grandson, Hassan Harrigan. She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 14, at 10:30 AM at St. Brigid Church, 129 Main Street, Peapack, followed immediately by entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to St. Brigid Church, 129 Main Street, Peapack NJ 07977.