Giuseppe Turelli better known as “Joe” to a legion of long-time customers and friends, of Fair Lawn passed away on December 22, 2022 at the age of 88. Giuseppe, was born in Setif, Algeria in 1934. As a young child his family moved to Sicily settling first amongst other relatives in the town of Pachino, and later moving to Siracusa where he grew up and lived until emigrating to the United States in 1961. He initially settled in Passaic, New Jersey, again amongst family. He met his future wife, Lilia, in 1964 at Roseland in New York and was instantly smitten. The two would soon wed and spend 55 years together as husband and wife. They, now with a young child in tow, moved from Passaic to Garfield in 1969, added another child in 1971, before moving on to Fair Lawn in 1983 and pretty much settling there for the remainder of their lives.
At the age of 8, Giuseppe began cutting hair and would embark on his career as an accomplished barber. Once moving to the United States “Joe” worked as a barber for several shops in Fair Lawn until he opened his own in 1970, the illustrious, “Gentleman’s Choice Barber Studio” in Saddle Brook! The first shop was on Midland Avenue until 1979. A brief stopover at Zuckerberg’ followed before moving on to the final incarnation on Market St in 1981. He remained the proprietor until 2004 before selling out and going back to just cutting hair. A few years later he “retired” and just went in 3 days a week part-time at the location of the Market St shop. He hobnobbed with mayors, bishops, and city officials, but also with the salt of the earth. He frequently commented that if he had to do it over, he wouldn’t change a thing.
Joe also enjoyed a good meal, whether home cooked or in a fine restaurant and to travel. He loved Soccer (Calcio) and was a fan of Juventus FC. and a strong supporter of the Italian National Soccer Team. He was also an avid reader and collector of Tex Willer in his youth before having to part with his collection when he left Italy. He actually gave the collection away to a friend. This would be another hallmark of Joe’s life, his generosity. Giuseppe was well known for helping out both friends and family with finances or advice, his time and willingness to drive anywhere, or simply offering a home cooked meal. Joe got more than a few started and established in the business and did the same with the home lives of a few others. He always looked to steer work to his customers and made those connections for them whenever possible.
Giuseppe was the beloved father of Umberto M. (BERT) Turelli and Marco Turelli and his wife Katherine. Loving grandfather to Amelia and Elena Turelli. Dear brother of Bruno and Romualdo (Aldo) Turelli. He was predeceased by brothers Francesco and Salvatore, and sisters Irene and Dina. Of course, he was also predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Lilia in 2019 and was never quite the same after that. Now they are reunited for eternity.
Friends and family may visit at the Vander Plaat Colonial Home, 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday 10:00 AM with entombment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Valley Hospital Foundation in Ridgewood, NJ. Be sure to thank the nurses and their support teams.https://www.valleyhospitalfoundation.org/give/ways-to-give