Theresa DiMasi Obituary (2022) – West Caldwell, NJ – The Star-Ledger – The Star-Ledger Obituaries

A Life Well Lived The family of Theresa A. Di Masi, of West Caldwell, NJ, is sad to announce her passing on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. She was 86 years old. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the daughter of Dominic and Rose Bartirome. She met and married Gabriel J. Di Masi, Sr., and together they moved to West Caldwell, where she resided for 61 years, until her death. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother she was an active member of the community and a faithful parishioner at St. Aloysius Church. She was the founder of the West Caldwell Canteen for Special Needs Individuals, a program which is still in existence today. The West Caldwell Civic Center was made barrier free as a result of the many grants received. Theresa received numerous awards and recognitions by the State of New Jersey for the uniqueness and effectiveness of the program. It was described as one of the best recreational programs for special needs individuals in the state. In addition, Theresa held such posts as Chairwoman for the Mayor’s Advisory Board for the Disabled, West Caldwell, President and member of the Essex County Vocational School Board, Co-Founder of the Essex County Vocational/Technical School, West Caldwell (now known as, the West Caldwell Tech), Member of the Board of Directors of the Essex County Educational Services Commission, President and member of the West Essex Parents of Exceptional Children; she also was the creator of the first after school recreational program for disabled children in the district housed at Jefferson School in the early 1970’s. She has been honored by The Bridge, The Kiwanis Club of Caldwell-West Essex, and The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for her tireless community service. Most recently, she was a founding member of the Caldwell/West Caldwell Education Foundation. Theresa was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Gabriel J., Sr., sons Joseph and Dominic, and a brother, Anthony (Tony) Bartirome. Surviving are her devoted children, John A., Gabriel J., Jr. (Dawn), Mary Anne, Carl J. (Jennifer), and adored grandchildren, Gabriel, Gillian, and Christian. Join the family as they celebrate Theresa’s life at St. Aloysius R.C. Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ on Saturday January 22, 2022, at 10:30 am. Inurnment will follow at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, East Hanover, NJ. Arrangements in care of Garrett Jones Memorial Home (shookfarmer.com) in Roseland. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Theresa can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Garrett Jones Memorial Homes, LLC 45 Roseland Avenue Roseland, NJ 07068 973-228-7925