Jerome L Costanzo

Jerome Costanzo passed away on Tuesday, November 24th at the age of 86 with family at his side. Perth Amboy, the town where Jerome grew up with his sister Sharon was a brighter community because of his outgoing personality and the energy that he not only exuded but also brought out in others. He stood out amongst his classmates at Perth Amboy High and upon graduation entered the U.S. Air Force to begin a four-year tour serving the country he loved. A crew member of the B36 Bomber, he logged thousands of miles at altitude that he did not always enjoy. Life in the armed forces is challenging work and coping with inevitable tests of fortitude is more manageable when facing those feats with friends. Jerome excelled at making friends and many of those relationships forged in the Air Force remained for his entire life. Reunions were the norm and consisted of the Air Force buddies and their spouses. Jerome was very good at establishing friends, but shortly after leaving the service he set the mark for perfection when he asked a shy young lady to share a dance at a Heightstown club. He simply adored Connie and she the same. Together there was no stronger team nor greater love of each other. They raised three children (Neil, Jerome, and Dawn) and when they each married, Jerome and Connie were blessed to be able to espouse their caring and love to their three additional children (Margie, Barb, and Jimmy). Jerome experienced the pinnacle of joy sharing life with his six beloved grandchildren (Kimberly, Neil, Michael, Nicolas, Zachary, and Carly). With the whole family living in close proximity, Jerome was able and very willing to baby-sit (no pop-pop cradled a baby more lovingly), attend their baseball games, dance recitals, gymnastic competitions and graduations. Above all, Jerome enjoyed just being with his grandchildren and sharing his experiences, insights, intellect, humor, childhood stories, views on achieving success, and being a good person. Many of those recent conversations were shared on the front porch from his trusty rocking chair in the shadow of the waving American flag while soaking in the warmth of the autumn sun and the feel-good familiar scenes of the neighborhood he had known for the past six decades. And, of course, with Connie at his side. It is said God never gives us more that we can handle. And Jerome was given many obstacles. Many of them were related to his health. But God gave him Connie. She was always there to support “Jerry” to the fullest and get him through every single trial. It began in Perth Amboy, traveled across the U.S. as part of the Air Force, and settled in Bridgewater, NJ. “It”, is the light of Jerome Costanzo. He made each place and person he touched brighter. And now he has made the sky just a bit brighter as he takes his place in heaven. We are going to miss our husband, dad, and pop-pop. A funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Saturday, November 28th at 9:30 AM in Somerville, NJ. Arrangements are by Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home in Bound Brook.