Lifelong Resident Of Scotch Plains Dies At Age 101

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The Scotch Plains community is mourning the loss of one of its lifelong residents, Alphonse Fantini who died on Aug. 12 at the age of 101.

Fantini had twice served as a grand marshal for the Scotch Plains Memorial Day parade.

Fantini was born in Montazzolli, Italy, and lived there until the age of 9 before coming to the United States and settling in Scotch Plains.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II before going to work with Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems, as a Welder. He was a welder for more than 55 years, before retiring in 1994.

He was a member of the Italian American Club, Scotch Plains, and a former member of the Teamsters Union 418.

"He devoted his life, time, and love to his family. He was a family man who was always there for his wife, children, and grandchildren," according to his obituary.

Fantini is predeceased by his wife Donna in 2019, his brother Ralph, and his two sisters Philomena and Mary.

He is survived by his son Ronald (Kathleen); his two daughters Claire Forsyth (Gary) and Mary Ann Gilbert (Barry); his four grandchildren Kenneth Forsyth (Tara), Jeffrey Fantini, Stephanie Kaiser (Kyle), and Christopher Gilbert (Jessica); and his three great-grandchildren Sadie, Sophia, and Adelina Forsyth.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Aug. 19, at the Rossi Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The Funeral will be from the funeral home on Friday at 10:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, Scotch Plains. The Entombment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield.

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