Rita Puglisi, 96, of Middletown, passed away peacefully May 13, 2025, at home. She was born in Jersey City and lived in Middletown for over 70 years. Rita worked as a homemaker, raising her eight children. Rita also worked with her husband as a painter at his business, Frank’s Woodshop. She loved boating, fishing and going to the beach.
Surviving are her children, Laura Bates, Karen Barker, Nancy Sweeney, Frank Puglisi Jr., John Puglisi, Michael Puglisi and Jimmy Puglisi; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Rita was preceded in death by her son Joseph Puglisi in 2006,; her husband of over 70 years, Frank Puglisi, in 2017; her grandson, Daniel Barker in 2018, and great-great-granddaughter, Harper Faye Capella, in 2023.
Visitation was held May 20 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral Mass was held at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Middletown. Interment followed at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown.
The article originally appeared in the June 12 – 18, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
