Domenico S

Pedulla

Domenico S. (Steve) Pedulla of Cliffside Park, NJ passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021, age 91.

Domenico was born on a mountaintop in Ferruzzano, Reggio Calabria, Italy to his parents, Antonio and Paola, on July 3, 1930. His mother died when he was two weeks old, after which he was raised by his second mother, Marianna, alongside his brother Vincent and sister Paula. He met his future wife, Agata (Catuzza), in kindergarten at the village school, and they married on December 1, 1951 in Pompeii.

Shortly after they married, Domenico and Agata emigrated, first to Ontario, Canada, and then to the United States, where he was forever grateful for the help and kindness of Nicola Policastro and Bluma Cogan, both of whom helped him to start his business, Steve's Auto Sales & Service, for which he used his middle name, so as to sound more American. He was a skilled mechanic, transmission specialist, and car dealer; one of his transmission repairs earned him a credit in the Chrysler repair manual. If you visited his house, chances were you were parked in the wrong space; he was always happy to show you where it should be parked instead, and to check the viscosity of the engine's oil while he was at it.

Domenico was beloved by his family and friends, who miss him already. He answered to Domenico, Steve, Mickey, Mico, Grampa, and Nonno. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Agata; his six loving children, Pauline & Joe, Frances & Joe, Rosa & James, Anthony & Lisa, Marisa & Doug, Cathy & Joe; his seventeen grandchildren, Christine, Gina, Joseph, Michael, Robert, Steven, Vickie, Joey, Matthew, Christopher, Daniela, Alexa, Christina, Alessandra, Gabriella, Julia & Sophia; and his 15 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Paula LaMastro & Lou and was additionally blessed with many loving nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends near and far whom he also considered to be family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan 800-377-6226 info@epilepsymichigan.org or The National Kidney Foundation 30 E. 33rd St. NY NY 10016