Obituary of Marie Grace Fratello

MARIE GRACE COSTA FRATELLO passed on to eternal life at her home in Toms River on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at the age of 96. She was born on November 18, 1919 in Hackensack.One of five children, Marie was born and raised in Hackensack, New Jersey to Rosalia Beluardo and Salvatore “Sam” Costa, who emigrated from Sicily in 1901. Salvatore surmounted his humble beginnings to become a successful entrepreneur, eventually opening his own grocery store. While working at the store, Marie met her late husband of 69 years Vincent Fratello, an amateur boxer who delivered produce for Marie’s father at that time and went on to win the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions at middleweight in 1939. Marie and Vincent raised a son Michael Robert Fratello, who was the apple of Marie’s eye until the day she departed. Family always came first for Marie, and being a devoted mother meant everything to her. She loved spending time with her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, who were all very dear to her heart, and she maintained a strict tradition of weekly visits and Sunday suppers. Marie doted on her grandchildren, Kristi and Marc, and traveled to Atlanta frequently to spend time with them and to cheer Michael on from the sidelines at Hawks games when he was coaching in the NBA. Having been raised with a strong work ethic, Marie also managed to carve out a fulfilling career in the hospitality industry, serving in various hostess, bookkeeping and managerial capacities at Vincent's Luncheonette, Oritani Field Club and Lord & Taylor’s chic Bird Cage restaurant and tea room. With her classic style, impeccable decorum and attention to detail, Marie was a role model to many of her associates and went out of her way to share her wisdom with them. Marie had a joyful spirit and relished her many blessings. Whether playing cards with her sisters or making day trips to Atlantic City with her girlfriends, she loved to laugh and have fun. Generous, loving, thoughtful, loyal, devoted, principled, good-humored and elegant, Marie will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of calling her family and friend. Marie was predeceased by husband Vincent Fratello (2011), brother Carmen Costa and sister-in-law Edna Costa, sister Pauline Kramer and brother-in-law Albin (Lou) Kramer, sister Grace Bassano and brother-in-law John Bassano, and sister Gloria Costa. She leaves behind her beloved son Michael Fratello, daughter-in-law Susan Fratello and cherished grandchildren Kristi Lynn Fratello and Marc Alan Fratello. The funeral will begin from the funeral home on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church, 50 Lodi St., Hackensack, NJ. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 179 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, NJ. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. Those who wish to make a charitable contribution in Marie's honor can donat to AFA ,online (https:www.alfzdh.org/ContributetoAFA/makedonation.htm or money order payable to Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eight Avenue, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10001.