Anthony A. Biondi, Sr

Anthony A. Biondi, Sr

Founder of the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley

Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, 86

Mr. Anthony A. Biondi Sr., 86, of Nutley NJ, Monmouth Beach, NJ and Boca Raton, Fl, passed away peacefully at his home in Boca Raton on Monday, April 4, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue, on Saturday, April 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday, April 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Monday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m.  The funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church, 28 Brookline Avenue, Nutley at 10:45 a.m. The entombment will be at Hollywood Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum, 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union with military honors.

Anthony was born and raised in the Ironbound section of Newark.  He was a 1956 graduate of the American Academy of Funeral Services, New York City.  Anthony proudly served as a medic in the United States Air Force National Guard from 1954 through 1963, serving one year in France.

In 1968 Anthony together with the love of his life, his wife Michelina, “Mickey” founded the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on April 19 of this year.  He was lovingly referred to as “Mr. B” by his dedicated staff.  Since establishing the funeral home in 1968, Anthony and Mickey have been actively involved in the Nutley community.  Anthony honorably served as past-president of the Optimist Club of Nutley, the Nutley Italian-American Civic Association, and the Nutley Chapter of Unico.  In 1994 Anthony was honored as Unican of the Year and most recently, as their oldest living member (50 years). Anthony proudly accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nutley Chapter of Unico.

Anthony was an active member of Holy Family Church and School, serving as past-president of the PTA, the Holy Family Parish Council, and the Holy Family Finance Committee.  In March of this year, Anthony and Mickey were honored for their long-time dedicated service to the Holy Family Parish Community at their Annual Gala Dinner.  Anthony has been recognized by the Nutley Jaycees, the Scarpelli Civic Association and most recently, by the Columbian Foundation where he along with his family were recognized for their outstanding service to the community during the COVID crisis.

Anthony was very proud of his Italian-American heritage.  He was honored by the Nutley- Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee and served as Grand Marshal in the 1995 Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade.  In 2013 the Italian Tribune presented Anthony and his family with the prestigious Columbus Day Business of the Year Award.

Anthony dedicated his life to service and was considered by many to be a pillar of the community.

He was a member of the Nutley Shade Tree Commission.  Together with Commissioner Frank Cocchiola he instituted the Living Memorial Tree Planting Program and Arbor Day celebration. He was also a life member of the Nutley Elks Lodge #1290 and the Nutley Amvets.

Anthony was a member of the Essex, Union and West Hudson Funeral Directors Association as well as the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.

He is survived by his beloved wife Michelina “Mickey” (nee Rossi) Biondi, his devoted children Anthony A. Biondi Jr. and his wife Lisa, and Ann Marie Belas and her husband Jude, his cherished grandchildren Julianna Lucia Belas and Jude Anthony Belas, his brother-in-law Joseph Rossi and his wife Kathy, and his sister-in-law Joanne Rossi. He is also survived by his many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

He is predeceased by his parents Alfred A. and Anna (née Faiella) Biondi, his father and mother-in-law Adolph (Duffy) and Nicolina (née Palumbo) Rossi, and his brother-in-law Alfonse Rossi.

Anthony was a true gentleman, and a Nutley Icon whose contributions to his community will long be recognized and enjoyed.  He leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion and service.  He will always be remembered as a kind and loving man with a huge heart. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and all of the countless people whose lives he touched.

As a tribute to Anthony’s great love for all children, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Donations, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, www.stjude.org., or to the Holy Family Restoration Fund, 28 Brookline Avenue, Nutley NJ 07110.

For anyone who may not be able to attend the Funeral Mass for Anthony A. Biondi, Sr the family is offering a live stream, the link is below.

                                                            Anthony A. Biondi Sr. Live Stream Link