Raffaele A. Chiappetta of Hamilton

Raffaele A. Chiappetta, 89, of Hamilton passed away on Thursday at RWJ University Hospital at Hamilton with his loving family by his side.

Born in South Trenton, at Coates and Federal Streets, he was a lifelong Trenton/Hamilton area resident.

An Army Veteran Paratrooper, Raffaele was a fireman for the Trenton Fire Department with over 30 years of service. In his spare time he and his wife Marie enjoyed traveling. Most of all he was a family man and cherished spending time with them.

Ray was as comfortable sitting on his front porch with his pipe, as he was holding court with company at his dining room table. He was an avid gardener and handyman, sharing time between his roses and his workbench. He was most proud of his loving grand and greatgrandchildren.

Son of the late Raffaele and Teresina Zacchira Chiappetta, husband of the late Dolores MacArthur, father of the late Raphaele C. Chiappetta, and grandfather of the late Kevin Caley Meara, also predeceased by his eleven siblings, he is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marie Terese Lenihan Chiappetta; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and John M. Macciocca, and Mary Ann and Kevin John Meara; one sister Lena D’Errico; four grandchildren, Killian and Kelly Rose Meara, Melissa Johnson and her husband John, Jonathan Macciocca and his wife Rubina; six great grandchildren; many nieces, nephew, cousins, other family members, and friends.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. from the Buklad Memorial Home, 2141 South Broad Street in Hamilton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. at St. Raphael’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

Relatives and friends may call on Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the memorial home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to City of Angels, P.O. Box 10237, Trenton, NJ 08650, or a charity of your choice.