Erminia (Perillo) Falino, age 86 from Belleville, New Jersey, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2022. She was born in Forenza, Italy on October 6, 1935. She lived a hard life in Italy with her late husband Giuseppe Falino taking care of their children, and in 1971 they made the tough decision to leave immediate family and friends in Italy and come to the USA. It wasn’t easy! Moving to a strange country, not knowing the language, or what the future would provide. Their decision proved correct, as they initiated a new successful dynasty in the US, first living in Newark, NJ, then moving to Belleville.

Erminia worked in various fields to help make ends meet. As an excellent seamstress first, and as a florist later, but always putting family first. She instilled a sense of pride, hard-work, and honesty … traits she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

After her retirement from United Garment Workers of America, Erminia devoted the rest of her life taking care of the family. She was a passionate cook and always trying to come up with new and better recipe, combined with “a pinch of this and a pinch of that” which would make even a lot of chef’s envy. She never measured ingredients -- just using her sense of taste and smell which others haven’t been able to follow. She enjoyed Italian cooking and never got used to American cuisine, except for an occasional Burger and Bacon sandwich at Wendy’s. Erminia’s home-made pizza, Easter and Christmas dinners, taralli, and “traditional” cheesecake were the jealousy of everyone. Although she was hardly the green thumb like her late husband Giuseppe, she always “recommended” to him where to plant and what to plant in their backyard, then using the harvested vegetables the rest of the year.

Erminia is survived by three children, Michael and Rosa Falino, Maria and Alessio Donatiello, and Pasquale Falino. Five grandchildren: Kathy Falino, Vincenza Jazenback, Michelle De Santos, Erminia Severini, and Felice Donatiello. Nine great-grandchildren: Mila White, Kaeden De Santos, Ariana Jazenback, Nicolo’ De Santos, Luca White, Serafina Jazenback, Alessia Donatiello, Siena Severini, and Antonio Joseph Donatiello.

Viewing will be at the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, (www.swbrownandson.com), 267 Centre Street Nutley, NJ, on Monday, May 23, 2022 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church, 28 Brookline Avenue, Nutley, NJ, at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Interment will follow at the Glendale Cemetery in Bloomfield, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate) or to the charitable organization of your choice.