Granito, Ciriaco Joseph “Rocky”, Age: 97, Middletown

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Ciriaco Joseph “Rocky” Granito, of Middletown, passed away at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank Aug. 20 surrounded by his children. He was 97.

Rocky was born July 3, 1921 in New York City to Marie and Joseph Granito. He was raised in East Harlem, where he attended public schools and graduated from Franklin High School. He attended NYU before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. A proud Marine, he served his country with honor in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He married his childhood sweetheart, Gloria Sacchitella, when he returned from overseas and completed the remainder of his military service in San Diego, California.

Rocky and Gloria settled in Middletown to raise their family. He had a long career as a regional sales representative for Colgate-Palmolive Company, serving many stores and markets around New Jersey, retiring as the area sales manager after 37 years of service.

Rocky was a good husband, great father, faithful Catholic, devoted grandfather, loyal friend and beloved neighbor to many. A devout believer in the Catholic tradition of charitable service to others, Rocky delivered Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years and spent decades working with the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor, delivering donations of food to the neediest communities in the New Jersey and New York areas. He also served as a Eucharistic minister and active participant in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth.

He was predeceased by his wife Gloria in 1988 and by his brother Francis Granito. He is survived by his children, Dr. Joseph Granito and his wife Linda of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania; Richard Granito of Brick; and Jeanne Granito of Middletown; his sister Mary Louise Angerame; his grandchildren Alison Granito of New York City, Laura McCormick and her husband Mike of Belford, Emily Granito of Durham, North Carolina, Jospeh Granito and his wife Cheri of Brick, Rachel Granito of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and Elena Granito of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania; and his great-grandchildren Cade McCormick, Brenna McCormick, Owen Granito and Maisy Granito. Above all else, Rocky loved his church, his family and his friends, in particular, his loving and cherished friend of almost 30 years, Eileen Glass of Belford.

Visitation was held Aug. 22 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy was offered Aug. 23 at St. Mary’s Chapel, Middletown. Burial followed at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in Rocky’s name to the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.