Gaetana Formica died peacefully in her Rumson home surrounded by loved ones Aug. 29, 2023, at the age of 93. Known as Tina and Tanina to her family and friends, her loved ones cherish memories of her love, generosity and culinary skills. The kindnesses she lavished on everyone, from her great-grandchildren to her mail person, serve as a shining example of her legacy.
Tina was born April 1, 1930, in Milazzo, Sicilia, to Mario and Vincenza Maio. Among the lush landscape and year-round growing season, she and her three sisters learned to garden, cook and sew. Tina developed her skills as a seamstress, including embroidering and making wedding dresses. She married Stefano Formica, also of Milazzo, Oct 31, 1953, in their hometown. After Stefano established himself as a craftsman in Brooklyn, Tina and Vickie, their first child, joined him there where a number of other family members had also immigrated.
During her time in Brooklyn, Tina nurtured everything and everyone she touched, including a general contracting business she owned with her husband and a prolific fig tree in their yard. Most notably, she devoted herself to raising their three children and having enough carefully prepared food to provide a feast to anyone who called at any time. Tina also cared for her parents as they aged, installing them next door to their long-time home on Senator Street.
In 1997, Tina and Steve retired to Rumson where they frequently hosted family meals and often cared for their grandchildren. For over two more decades, Tina grew grapes, figs, tomatoes and Italian specialties like long string beans. She lovingly prepared her many specialties, ranging from arancini to zucchini bread. She expressed her love of gifting food by preparing each person’s favorite dish often, including chicken parmigiana, eggplant caponata, shrimp oreganata, and veal stew. She developed a recipe for a fresh fruit cake topped with kiwi and strawberries that no one has successfully duplicated, yet.
Tina enjoyed celebrating the birthdays and milestones of her loved ones until her dying day. Her sincere kindness and devotion to her family imparted the wisdom of savoring small moments, exemplifying how love forms the basis of a life lived well.
Tina was predeceased by her dear husband Stefano Formica. Surviving are her loving children, Victoria and her husband Frank Cetera, Salvatore Formica and his wife Debbie, and Vivian and her husband Gary Casazza. She is also survived by her six cherished grandchildren and their partners, Cynthia Assini and Andrew Assini, Steven Formica, Jacqueline Cetera, Cristin Liberatore and Louis Liberatore, Frankie Cetera and Alyssa Pride, and Vivian C. Casazza and Will Smith. In addition, she enjoyed visits from her surviving six great-grandchildren, Clay Smith, Bella Smith, Amalia Liberatore, AJ Assini, Nicola Liberatore, and Avery Assini.
In lieu of flowers, keeping with Gaetana’s passion for sharing food, please consider donating to lasagnalove.org, which provides food to needy families. Visit johnedayfuneralhome.com for additional information. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. Sept. 8 at Holy Cross Church, Rumson, followed by Mass at 11 a.m.
This article originally appeared in the September 7 – 13, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
