Visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 am on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 8:00 am.
Attilio S. Aloia, 99, died peacefully on September 12, 2022.
Born in New York City to the late Gennaro and Agnes Aloia (nee DeStefano), he was a graduate of Evander Childs High School in the Bronx. Mr. Aloia was drafted into the United States Army at the beginning of World War II where he valiantly served his country in the European Theatre. He was the Squad Leader of the 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 387th Regiment, 97th Infantry Division. His battalion fired the last shot of the war, and he returned home with a Bronze Star for his dedication to his country. He went on to marry the love of his life, the late Catherine L. Cersosimo in 1947. Mr. Aloia was a graduate of the University of Richmond and went on to work for American Cyanamid as a Textile Chemist. His participation and research led to patents that developed flame retardants for infant & children’s clothing that went on to benefit the advancement of safety in society for generations to come. After his retirement, Mr. Aloia kept busy working as a Sergeant-at-Arms for the Somerset County Courts in Somerville well into his 80's.
He was a Notre Dame football fan and a big supporter of Immaculata High School’s Marching Band, the latter of which he volunteered for over the years. Mr. Aloia was a former president of the Spartan Booster Club and former Spartan of the Year. Always active locally, whether it be at the bakery with his friends or patronizing local businesses, he was well known for his kind heart and gentle spirit. The pip in his step came from a lifelong love of dancing, ballroom, line dancing, and square dancing, it kept him young all of his 99 years. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and dedicated grandfather and great-grandfather who leaves a legacy of love, dancing, food, and devotion to his cherished family. His mantra was “A day without pasta, is a day without sunshine…”
He was preceded in death by his dear brothers, Romeo and Mario Aloia, and his beloved wife of 61 years, Catherine L. Aloia in 2008.
Surviving are his loving children, Gregory Aloia and wife Cynthia Richards, and Andrea Stasko and husband Michael, his cherished grandchildren, Peter and wife Lindsey, Paul and wife Brittany, Michael and wife Page, Justin, and Jamie and husband Jerry, his adored great-grandchildren, Christian, Julia, Alayna, Levi, Saylor, Colin, and Noah, as well as his sister-in-law Catherine Aloia, and his extended family and community friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 am on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 8:00 am.
Memorial contributions may be made in Attilio’s memory to the Guardian Angel Scholarship Fund for Immaculata High School, 240 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876 or visit Guardian Angel Scholarship Program.