Obituary of Don M. Venitelli
South Plainfield, NJ – Don (Dante) Venitelli, 93, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Born in Plainfield, to the late Vincent and Lucia (nee Falocco) Venitelli, Don grew up in North Plainfield. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1951 and proudly served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954. Don married Ann Tweet on May 22, 1954 and the two settled in South Plainfield where they raised their four children.
After returning home from the military, Don worked with his three brothers at R&R Venitelli Carpenters as a carpenter and master craftsman for 18 years. In 1972, Don began the last leg of his career as a carpenter and builder at Procter and Gamble in Staten Island. After more than 20 years, he retired from P&G and went to work part time for his son David at his cafe, Harvest Moon, in north Jersey. An exceptional cook in his own right, he assisted his son in fusing traditional Italian recipes with modern cuisine.
In the spirit of keeping traditions alive, Don continued to cultivate a robust vegetable garden and canned his own harvest until he was in his late 80s. A long-time parishioner of Sacred Heart RC Church in South Plainfield and an avid baseball and football fan, his greatest passion was spending time with his family especially at his house in Peru, Vermont. Don never stopped sharing his knowledge and expertise of construction with those closest to him.
Predeceased by his son Joseph J. Venitelli, Sr., his grandson Ryan Ortleb, and his five sibling;, Don will be deeply missed by his wife of 71 years, Ann (nee Tweett),his son, David Venitelli and his wife Karla of Westwood, NJ, his daughters, Donna Ortleb and her husband Randal, of Brick, NJ, and Diane Popik and her husband Jeff, of Watchung, NJ; and grandchildren, Dr. Randi Gartner and her husband John, Dr. Daniel Venitelli, Alexandra Venitelli, Shailyn Venitelli, Joseph J. Venitelli, Jr., Eryn Bella Venitelli, John Mutchko, Kaitlyn Mutchko, and Kristy Mutchko. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Ryan, Connor and Kylee Gartner along with a host of extended relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at McCriskin – Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5 PM to 8 PM.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart RC Church, 149 South Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ, on Wednesday, May 27, 2025, at 10 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home prior to mass, beginning at 9 AM.
Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, 1401 Woodland Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the Venitelli family has requested that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, in Don’s name.