WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. — Richard Mucowski, OFM, presented the HNP Francis Medal earlier this year to a 100-year-old parishioner of Assumption of Our Blessed Lady Parish. Anthony Giuseffi, born in January 1915, was recognized on Jan. 31 at Assumption Church, where he has belonged and volunteered for roughly 70 years.
“We honored Anthony because of his faithful dedication to the friars, the parish and service to the community,” said Richard, the pastor. Since moving to Wood-Ridge in 1942, Giuseffi has served the parish as a lector, a Eucharistic minister, president of Our Lady of Assumption Players and president of Our Lady of Assumption Holy Name Society.
Giuseffi, a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., has also served the community through several roles: as a member of the Wood-Ridge police department, the Juvenile Conference Committee, the Knights of Columbus and the town’s welcoming committee for new residents.
He worked for many years in the aerospace systems division of Walter Kidde & Company, Belleville, N.J., before opening his own consulting firm that offered engineering and technical prospects to large manufacturers and also a search firm, according to his daughter, Jeri Delfino. Giuseffi retired in 1980 at age 65.
Many friends and family members were at the medal presentation to recognize the centenarian. Giueffi and his wife Virginia have five children, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The Holy Name Province Francis Medal was established in 1998 by then-Provincial Minister John Felice, OFM. Recipients are people who have displayed an uncommon contribution to the advancement of the ideals and values of St. Francis.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communication for Holy Name Province.