John J. Picarella

PICARELLA, John J., 88, of Township of Washington, NJ, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016. Adored father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to parents Joseph and Ignatsia "Rose" Picarella and was the last of eight children. He was a WWII veteran, having served in the Army, who met his beloved wife Stella (née Barrett) at the age of 16, dancing in New York City at the YMCA. They married and raised four children: John, Tom, Maureen, and James in Bellerose, NY prior to moving with John's job to Fremont and then Sepulveda, CA, before returning to the East Coast and settling in Twp. of Washington, Bergen County, NJ. In his professional life, he was a Vice President and Average Adjuster in the Maritime Insurance Industry with over 40 years of experience in charge of Marine Hull and Average Adjusting Departments, handling claims for ocean going cargo ships etc. He worked for numerous major brokerage offices, specializing in ocean marine work, including Marsh & Mc Lennon, Alexander & Alexander Inc., Jardine Emett & Chandler NY, Bach Ter Bush & Powell, Inc. and Somerset Marine Inc., among others in his early years. After retiring, he worked a short period for Reliance National and then independently as a consultant and average adjuster. He was known for his high level of expertise in his field. He attended the College of Insurance in New York City, Practicing Law Institute in New York City, and Ohlone College in Fremont, CA. He was a Member of numerous professional organizations; among them: Association of Average Adjusters of the United Kingdom, Association of Average Adjusters of the United States, Maritime Law Association, Association of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco, among others. He held several insurance and brokerage licenses. Personally, he was devoted to his family and his faith. He was a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion who regularly participated in church life, whether that be attending daily Mass, Men’s Cornerstone Retreats, Why Catholic, parish seminars and lectures, or in his younger years promoting men’s retreats. He was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus – Mother Seton Counsel #5427, and a member of the Board of the James Picarella Memorial Trust which has given annual educational scholarships to High School students in memory of his youngest son who died of a rare cancer in 1991. He was also a member of the Bishop Molloy Laymen’s Retreat League, and Member of Retreats International – Men’s Division. John was the consummate gentlemen; polished, elegant, and gracious. He was a strong man of character and took great pride in everything he did. He was meticulous, hardworking, professional, tenacious, fair, kind-hearted, loving, funny, and even silly at times. He was a great man; a proud man, a family man, and a God-fearing man. He lived his life in the moment, and his gentle nature and loving spirit will truly be missed. He is survived by his beloved children John J. ll and his wife Debra (of Middlesex, NY), Thomas and his wife Maureen (of Folsom, CA), and Maureen Picarella-Bivona and her husband Frank (of Franklin Lakes, NJ); his cherished grandchildren Jessica, TJ, Daniel, Christina, and Charles, and adored great-grandchildren Zachary, Joshua, and Breann. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 ½ years Stella, his son James, grandchildren Zachary, and Jared, as well as his 7 siblings (Salvatore, Dominick, Ann, Margie, Joan, Mary, and Michael). The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood, NJ on Thursday, December 29th from 2-4 and 6-9 PM. A Mass celebrating John’s life and faith will be held at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes, NJ on Friday, December 30th at 10:30 AM with internment at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in name to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers at www.maryknollsociety.org, or Salesian Missions at www.salesianmissions.org.