Obituary of Phillip A. Garuffi

Phillip A. Garuffi, 87, of Hammonton passed away Tuesday in Kennedy Health Systems in Washington Twp. Phillip is now safe in the arms of Jesus. He is back in the company of his wife, and his own mother and father, where the gates are made of pearls and the streets are paved with gold. There will never be another Phil Garuffi. One of his favorite phrases to use, when he was auctioning off something unique, was "unusual and different!" That was Phil! He was a farmer and owned a gas station, garage, and sold cars. He built his first car, which was a Model A. He was also known locally as "the Mayor of Pennypot." Born the son of Sicilian immigrants who became American citizens, he learned to speak English in school. He and his friends were known as the "Chew Road Gang" when they were young. When he was older, as an amateur astronomer, he built his own telescopes and hosted popular "Free Look at the Moon" nights, usually on the hill near Second and Chew Roads. He was a baseball player and the President of Future Farmers of America at Hammonton High School, from which he graduated in 1946. He was also the president of the Young Democrat Club, back in the 50's. At the age of thirteen he rode a bicycle to his first outside job, which was serving the counter at Burdick's Bus Stop. He was there for seven years. He also worked at Leek's Boatyard in Lower Bank, the Navy shipyard in Camden, drove a bread truck from Bridgeton to Port Norris. As a substitute mailman he drove the Batsto route. He was a friend to all and took care of everyone he could, including his mother, his father-in-law, and his wife, when they were ill and until they passed. He became an auctioneer in the 1960's. People came from miles around to attend his auctions and people still today say that they furnished their homes in "early Phil Garuffi." He was a real estate salesman and auctioned off homes and estates. His unique sense of humor, as well as his fine antiques, kept people coming back for more! He could auction in both English and Sicilian, which would make the crowd roar! In his latter years he enjoyed reading poetry and admiring fine art. Juicing, roller skating and farming kept him fit and strong well into his eighties. He enjoyed country music and often attended Albert Music Hall and many Country Gospel Music nights. He retired from the Atlantic City Expressway in 2010. He will always be remembered for his wit and energy, legendary huge pots of mashed potatoes, and love of life. He was predeceased by his wife, Mildred and his brother Carmello Garuffi and sister Josephine Garuffi. He is survived by his two daughters, Lynetta Frederico and her husband Robert of Hammonton; Melanie Garuffi of Dividing Creek; one sister, Nicoletta Franchetta of Vineland; 5 grandchildren, Ryan and Leslie Howell, Jason Howell, Amanda Gale, Robert Frederico,III; Virgil Gale; 3 great grandchildren, Benjamin Howell, Alaina Lynn Garrett and Jordan Garrett. Funeral Services will beheld Monday March 16, 2015 11:30 am at the Batsto-Pleasant Mills United Methodist Church, 4200 Nesco Road, Mullica. Burial will follow in the Church cemetery. A viewing will be held Monday from 9:00am until 10:45am at the Carnesale Funeral Home, 202 S. Third St., Hammonton. Donations may be made to the Hammonton Hawks Organization PO Box 782 Hammonton, NJ 08037 or to Heart to Heart Ministry (Pro-Life Christian) PO Box 277 Newport, NJ 08345.