Carmen DiFilippantonio's Obituary
Carmen Difilippantonio quietly signed off on a life well-lived and with few regrets on May 5, 2024, after a long illness of heart disease and lung disorders. God broke the mold after Carmen was born to the late Joseph Difilippantonio and Maria (Montegnoli) Difilippantonio on July 14, 1931, in Penns Grove NJ.
Carmen met the love of his life Eddy in 1960 and were together over 60 years. They owned a hotel and restaurant in Asbury Park where family, friends and folks of all ages could always go to to find good food, fun, laughter and lively conversation regarding what stories Carmen had told. Carmen was a gifted storyteller. He could capture the essence of someone’s character in a description or a narrative of the person’s life, as well as capture their vulnerabilities and those of us listening would delight in the story being told. This talent left us thinking as we laughed when he got going, what does he say about me when I’m not here? He may still have in storage some clothing Bruce Springsteen left behind lol. Dining in that restaurant or staying in that hotel was never dull by any means. Carmen loved his pets and at one time had up to 8 American Eskimos living under one roof and loved spending time with his family and friends especially Bobby and Frank from Asbury Park. Carmen also enjoyed what he called "Playing the Dead" which is when he would play the numbers of a loved one's death date, many times with great rewards! We will all miss his laugh and his wry humor. He was very proud of being Italian, and he had a weakness for amaretti cookies and Italian chocolates—actually he enjoyed all sweets very much. At 93, he hadn’t lost any of his communication skills, and what we wouldn’t give to get one more phone call and one more story. Carmen was a devout Roman Catholic who never missed mass, served as an Usher, and Lay Minister for Mt Carmel Church in Asbury Park.
Carmen predeceased his husband Eddy Schau and his 3 siblings, Nettie, Jennie and Michael. Also surviving are Carmen's nieces and their husbands Janice Jordan and Jim Dyas, Rose Marie Brinton and her husband Blaine, Patricia Jordan and David Gunzerath, Maryanne Surine and her husband Bill, Andrea Clemente and Steve Seigforth; nephews Joe Clemente and his wife Lisa, Peter Jordan and Michael Difilippantonio. Carmen was also somewhat of a surrogate parent to his friend Robert Roccia and very dear friend Frank D'Allessandro who always made sure Carmen feasted on any religious feast day by sending delicious food from local Italian restaurants.
Please visit Carmen's Life Memorial Tribute Page located on this website.
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