Eugene P. Antonio

Eugene P. Antonio

 Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, 82

Eugene “Gene” Paul Antonio, age 82 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday. December 8, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, with his devoted wife Marie J. Antonio and loving daughter Barbara Antonio Capozzi by his side.  Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue on Sunday, December 13 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  There will be funeral mass celebrated at Holy Family Church, 28 Brookline Avenue, Nutley on Monday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m. with military honors.  The cremation will be held privately.   

He was born on February 27, 1938 in Newark, NJ to Patsy Antonio and Filomena (nee D’Ascensio) Antonio and resided in Belleville for the past 58 years.  Eugene graduated from Barringer High School in Newark, NJ in 1956 and attended Seton Hall University.  He served as Lieutenant acting captain in the United States Army Reserve Trp D 1st Recon Sq 102nd Armd Cav at Fort Sill, Oklahoma during the Vietnam War.  Eugene initially worked for the NJ Highway Dept. as surveyor, and was part of the construction of several NJ highways but in particular Rt. 21 from Newark to Passaic. He moved on to a career working for Cornell Design, and later was the business owner of ADI Services Group- both job shopping- Engineering Design and Draft Companies. 

Eugene was married on April 22 at Holy Family Church, Nutley, NJ to his lifelong, loving, devoted wife Marie. 

Eugene Antonio (aka Gene Anthony) was a lifelong musician who played the drums beginning in high school.  The First band was called the "Blue Jackets" at Barringer High School, and then "Pat Galo and his Orchestra".  He joined a marching band for ROTC at Seton Hall University with longtime friend and trumpet player Manny Alfano.  They journeyed together over 60 years playing clubs in NJ, NY and PA, and later weddings and other celebratory occasions as well as UNICO conventions nationwide.  Then Manny and Gene created their own band “The Preludes” with three other talented musicians, later changing the name to “The Brotherhood” and finally the “UNICO Four”.  Lastly, they formed the group named the “ROMEO’s” which stood for Retired Old Musicians Eating Out and met once a month to enjoy memories and meals.  

Eugene was an avid sports fan, following all games and stats and embracing all genres.  He was especially fond of watching his granddaughters play soccer, never missing a game, always cheering them on and calling out the refs.  He was always present for their many other activities and milestones.  He loved family get-togethers, always showing up with a smile and some jokes, but probably not on time. He loved his jelly beans but especially the back licorice ones.

Eugene was a volunteer for many, many years for various different organizations.  He had served as President, Vice President and Treasurer for UNICO National Chapters of Bloomfield and Belleville, and ONE VOICE Coalition, Inc. over many years.  He was part of the Anti-Bias Committee which incorporated the UNICO ACES Program and Woman as Equal Members, as well as Chairman for the ACES Scholarship Committee.  Eugene established the UNICO Calendar that would honor Famous Italian or Famous Italian Americans that made their mark on the world.  He volunteered for the Tomorrows Children Fund through the Imus Telethon and Annual Picnic. Eugene was a Volunteer for the Holy Family Feast annually, as well as UNICO’s St. Joseph’s Feast and the Columbus Day Parade.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Marie (nee Lyons) Antonio, his devoted daughter Barbara Antonio Capozzi and her husband Rick; his two loving granddaughters Bianca and Emilia, as well as grand-pets Basil and Doja; his brother Patrick Antonio and wife Angela; his sister-in-law Dora Qualiano and her husband Joe, and his brother-in-law Joseph Lyons.  He is also survived by all of his many beautiful caring nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends that filled his life with jokes, joy, shared meals and love. 

Eugene is predeceased by his parents Patsy and Filomena (nee D’Ascensio) Antonio and his loving sister Judith Cosgrove and husband Terence.

The family would like to thank the beautiful, caring nurse Branka from Barnabas Health Home Care and Hospice for her gentle, sincere heart. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org.  

For anyone who may not be able to attend the visitation or Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., the family is offering a zoom meeting, the information is below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85771532591?pwd=YUxIdFhsUHFrOGRyeHN3VjMxbExaQT09

Meeting ID: 857 7153 2591
Passcode: 121409

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic and occupancy limitations, visitors are asked to pay their respects and then immediately exit in order to allow others the opportunity to enter the funeral home. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eugene P. Antonio, please visit our floral store.