Obituary of Gaetano "Gus" N. Iaquinto

Gaetano "Gus" N. Iaquinto, 93, of North Wildwood, NJ —  passed peacefully this week at Cape Regional Hospital.

Fondly known as Gus, he is survived by 3 children: Lorraine Gaffney (the Late Mike), Larry Iaquinto (Joan), and Joyce Rykala (Zenon). He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Michael Gaffney, Christina Wurster, Jill Koerner, Kevin Iaquinto, Brian Gaffney, Alissa Stephenitch, and Marie-Louise Iaquinto.  In addition, Gus has 12 great grandchildren, Brynne, Emily, Christian, Drew, Bryce, Grant, TJ, Chelsea, Allison, Zachary, Madeline, and Nicholas.
Gus was a World War II veteran, where he earned several medals while fighting for his country’s in the South Pacific as a United States Marine Corp Master Sargent.  He was born and raised in Camden NJ,  with his brother, Tony Iaquinto, as the son of Joseph Iaquinto and Mary Scarengelli Iaquinto. As a child, he honed his work ethic early on by shining shoes on the Camden streets starting at age five.  He loved to play with his friends and one day while playing ball in the street he met his wife to-be Catherine when he rescued her ball from a storm drain.  Catherine and Gus were married when Gus returned from overseas and enjoyed 53 years together until her passing on May 27, 2003.  Like many veterans he left Woodrow Wilson high school  to enlist in the Marine Corps.  After 2 ½ years of Marine Corps service he returned stateside and became a master electrician. 
He began work for ADT and accumulated a huge network of colleagues and friends, retiring at age 65.  Gus and Catherine traveled extensively on long road trips to many North American destinations.  They loved traveling together.  Each year they joined ex-Marines and their spouses at the annual reunion.  Gus survived all his Marine Corps buddies.  He loved telling stories about them and their time overseas.  Gus and Catherine spent their additional time singing at nursing homes and volunteering for church activities. 
In retirement, he relocated to North Wildwood enjoying many years with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren at the beach and on the boardwalk.  He loved sitting on his front porch telling stories with his friends and neighbors.  Gus hung a Marine Corps flag on his porch which attracted many servicemen who engaged him in the stories he loved to repeat.  All who met him will surely miss his stories.  Gus will always be remembered for his work ethic, his mentoring, his enduring  friendships, and his loving relationship with family. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as friends and family will attest.

Farewell Tribute
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Monday, February 25th from 9:00AM to 9:45AM in Our Lady of Peace Parish at St. Mary's Church, 32 Carroll Ave. Williamstown, NJ.  Funeral Mass at 10:00AM.  Entombment Calvary Cemetery Cherry Hill, NJ.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity, www.sistersofcharity.com.

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