Obituary of Joseph R Testa

Joseph “Buddy” Testa, 95 years old, formerly of West Orange, New Jersey and a long-time resident of Manalapan, entered into eternal rest at home surrounded by loved ones on September 1, 2021

Joseph was recently pre-deceased by his wife of 73 years, Carmella Testa, who was the love of his life.  He is survived by his loving and devoted daughter, Rosemarie Mesis, and son-in-law, Jimmie Mesis, whom he cherished like a son.  He is also survived by grandchildren, Michelle Mesis and Andrea Mesis-Bruno, along with five great grandchildren, Justin Mesis, David (DJ) Bruno, Nathan Sorensen, Dylan Sorensen, and Amelia Ferraiolo.

In addition, he was predeceased by his biological father, Joseph Testa (who died shortly before his birth), his mother, Anna Rose Capetola, step-father, Anthony Capetola, who treated him like his own son.  In addition, he was predeceased by his brother, Rocco (Rocky) Capetola, John Capetola, and Joseph (Joey) Capetola, and sisters, Philiomena (Mena) Pica, and Vincenza (Winnie) Mosulak.

He is survived by brother, Anthony Capetola, and sisters, Anna Rogalski, and Antoinette DiPaolo, and sisters-in-law Julieanne Capetola, Marion Salardino, and Catherine Salardino, along with numerous nieces and nephews, and their spouses, as well as great nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews.

Buddy retired from the Schweitzer Paper Company, Spotswood, New Jersey, where he served with distinction as the union president for many years.  He was loved by the union members who he zealously represented.

Buddy proudly served in the Pacific theatre during World War II, along with his three older brothers, Rocco, John, and Joseph.  Buddy was a proud American who believed in all of the traditional values of family, hard work, and Country.

He frequently spoke of his depression era dinners where he and his older siblings would eat together, with their parents frequently foregoing meals to benefit their eight children.

His love of cars was renowned to all who knew him.  He found joy in helping Anthony, his “kid” brother fix old “jalopies” and turning them into serviceable vehicles for Anthony to use as a teenager.

Most of all, after the passing of his wife of 73 years, he looked forward to his time to join her with anticipation and joy, knowing, he would once again, be with the love of his life.    

Friends and family are invited to visit on Friday, September 3, 2021 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm & 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan.  A funeral service will be held at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home on September 4, 2021 at 10:30am. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.  To leave a condolence or find directions, visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com