Obituary of Gaetano E. Provenzale

Gaetano Enrico Provenzale Gaetano was an incredibly loving husband Of Gilda Nardone (Provenzale) Loving father of Anna Marie Schmidt, Marcella "Barry" Kevin," Lisa Burg "Ken" and Laura Provenzale "Joseph Guido." Cherished grandfather of Jessica Barry,Kiel Barry, Anthony Burg, Ryan Burg, Gabrielle Guido and Spencer Guido. Dearest brother to 4 siblings. And a highly accomplished Engineer and respected teacher. He lived a fulfilling life and was an exceptional example of resilience and strength. He was faced with many struggles along the way and persevered with courage and determination every step of the way. He was born in Ausonia, Italy on March 5, 1926. He lost his mother at a very early age. During WWII, he survived a German prison camp, and was badly wounded and nearly killed by the bomb that killed his father who was next to him. He and his siblings became orphans and were penniless. During his recovery from his wounds, he decided to honor his parents wishes and go to college to get his degree. Barely surviving on pea soup every day, in five years, he earned two PhDs - one in Aeronautical Engineering and one in Mechanical Engineering - at the University in Naples. A family friend introduced Gaetano to Gilda, who was living in New Jersey at the time. After writing to each other for three years, they got married in Pompeii, Italy in 1951 and he moved with Gilda to the US. Finding it difficult to get work as an Italian immigrant, he persevered and was ultimately hired by Lionel Corp. as a train designer. After becoming a citizen five years later, he began working at Curtis Wright Corp. He was there for 10 years and, during that time, he designed the Supersonic Jet Engine, changing the future of air travel. In 1968, he joined Exxon Corporation troubleshooting and solving turbomachinery performance problems and failures in Exxon refineries around the world. He had a successful career at Exxon for 27 years. While he was working, he also found time to teach night school at Stevens Institute of Technology and City College of NY. He loved working and teaching and, when he retired at age 70, he still found time to continue consulting work, and speak to his grandchildren’s classes. He was devoted to God, very involved in the Catholic Church and became a lector and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He prayed the rosary every night. Gaetano was a loving and dedicated husband to Gilda, his “better half”, for 69 years. He was a beloved father and grandfather, always greeting his family to “Villa Provenzale” with “both doors open” with joy, warmth and humor. As a father, he was a very brave and honorable man and a hero in his children’s eyes. We were fortunate enough to have him in our lives for all of these years together. He taught us through his example to be honest and caring, and to persevere through life’s struggles. He continued to fight through the last year with many health challenges. After 94 years and a wonderful, fulfilling life, he is now in God’s hands. We will miss him dearly. In our hearts he will always stay, loved and remembered every day. C’est la vie de l’homme (“This is the life of man”) In Repose Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Funeral Mass Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 12:30 P.M. St. Edward Catholic Church-19000 Pines Boulevard Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024. Entombment in Hollywood Memorial Park & Cemetery in Union, New Jersey. Arrangements by Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel, 9000 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 954-438-8222 In lieu of flowers, please donate to stjude.org