Obituary of Joseph Rocco Maruca

Joseph Rocco Maruca, 94, of Ewing, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2020. Joseph was born in Pittston, PA to the late Domenic & Maria Maruca. He attended Trenton Central High School and served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He began his career working at Gould Batteries eventually partnering with his mother & brothers to open up Maruca’s Tomato Pies. In 1974, he & his wife Jennie opened up their own Maruca’s Pizza on Nottingham Way. He finished his career devoting ten years to the Department of Transportation. Joseph (Slippery) enjoyed cracking jokes, long walks, spending time at the casinos and the race track, watching sporting events & dancing. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a Eucharistic minister at St. James Church for 25 years, a member of the St. James Senior Citizens, St. Joseph’s Society, St. Calogero Society & Ewing Senior’s Club D. Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Jennie B. Maruca of Ewing, NJ., son Joseph D. Maruca & wife, Mary Joan, daughter, Denise Maruca & husband, Joseph Cotignola, daughter, Debbie Stewart & husband, Stephen Jr., daughter, Cynthia Maruca, grandchildren: Robert Chojnacki & wife, Jennifer, Stephen Stewart, Jason Stewart & wife Sarah, Tyler Stewart & Ashleigh Stewart, Joseph J. Maruca & Nicholas Maruca, great-grandchildren Cole Chojnacki, Max Chojnacki, Sophia Stewart & Mason Stewart. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lucia (Blondie) Maruca, caring godson, Frankie Sorrentino and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony (Jake), Pasquale (Pat), & Dominick (Spike), sisters, Lena Mack, Rosemary Ayers, & Victoria Russo and grandson, Matthew Cole Stewart. Due to gathering restrictions family services with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery will be private. A celebration of life will take place later this year. Memorial donations may be made to The Jeremy Fund, The Jeremy Fund, PO Box 2855, Trenton, NJ 08690 or the donor’s choice.