Obituary of Rosalie Jean Crociata

Rosalie Crociata, age 94, of Freehold, NJ, passed away on January 22, 2025.  Rosalie was born on November 17, 1930 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY (Kings County) second child of Vita and Antonio Crociata.  Rosalie was preceded in death by her siblings; Steve, Joseph and Vita.

Rosalie’s younger life was spent in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where she attended PS 114.  She graduated from St. Joseph’s High School located in downtown Brooklyn.  Rosalie spent her young adult life becoming educated while living at St. John Villa Academy on Staten Island.  She lived there for 20 years and became an alumnus of Fordham University.  She continued her career under the Archdiocese of New York spending 2 years in Santiago, Chile, then returned to Staten Island where she taught at St. Charles School.

A need for public school teachers brought her to Freehold, NJ in 1970 where she was employed by Freehold Borough School District for 25 years.  She continued her education and obtained an M.S. Degree from Richmond College in 1971 and a second Masters Degree from Kean University in 1984 as a certified Reading Specialist.  After 45 years in education, she retired in 1995.  In 2008 she moved to Applewood, an engaged-living, Life-long Care Community in Freehold.

It was in her new found residence that Rosalie became involved in many interesting activities.  She joined the Applewood Chorus for her love of music, played the accordion in the community band, belonged to the Welcoming Committee, building Services Community, and the Scholarship Committee.  She partook of all lectures pertaining to Art, History, Literature, language, and attended operas and NJ Symphony periodically.

Rosalie is the cherished aunt to many loving nieces and nephews.  Rosalie touched the lives of many people.  She will be remembered with these words she carried in her heart: “God is Love! All Who Live in Love, Live in God, and God Lives in Them!

A visitation will be on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 8:00am-10:00am at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ  07728 with a Funeral Liturgy to be celebrated at 10:30am at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine R.C. Church in Freehold Twp., NJ.  Entombment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold Twp. NJ. To find directions or leave a message of condolence, please visit our website at www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.