Anthony R. Papetti

Anthony “Tony” R. Papetti, egg industry innovator, real estate industrialist, 94 of Holmdel, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday June 16th, 2019 surrounded by his devoted and loving family including his wife of 65 years Lillian.  Anthony was born and raised to the late Alfred and Santina (nee De Stefano) Papetti in Elizabeth NJ. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School and after graduating in 1943 Tony went on to New York University where he majored in accounting which prepared him for the role as the future CEO of Papetti’s Hygrade Egg Products in Elizabeth NJ.

As a young boy Anthony began working in the family business after school where he would deliver eggs and help in the poultry market started by his parents in 1908. Working at the market helped Anthony develop a keen eye for what a business needed to be a success. From a young age he was able to pinpoint exactly which strategies and methods to follow to make a business standout beyond the competition. While delivering eggs to nearby Village Bakery, Tony noticed that the owner was also using frozen eggs. Tony along with his brother Arthur realized that introducing their own frozen egg product would expand their business exponentially. Papetti’s Hygrade Eggs went on to become the largest egg processors in the world. As Papetti’s Hygrade Eggs became world-wide there was a demand for new plants and warehouses to be built all over the country.  Anthony also had a brilliant mind for real estate acquisition and development. Anthony along with his brother Arthur purchased real estate across the United States building warehouses and processing plants from the ground up to expand their business nationwide.

One of Anthony’s greatest accomplishments was overseeing the building from the ground up of the largest egg processing facility in the country located in Lenox Iowa. In the 90’s Anthony met with the Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad, to discuss how to bring employment and prosperity to the citizens of Iowa. This resulted in the opening of Papetti’s of Iowa in 1991, which continues to run to this day. Anthony wanted to branch out into other aspects of real estate ownership and development. Anthony spear headed the purchase of several apartment buildings in the Elizabeth area and seasonal rentals which included the Jersey Shore and Florida.

On May 16th, 1954 Anthony married the love of his life Lillian Urso. After a luxurious three-month honeymoon in Italy the young couple returned to New Jersey to start their own family. They were blessed with two sons, Alfred and Stephen, who also hit the ground running as young boys helping out at the family business. Alfred went on to become the vice president of Papetti’s Hygrade Eggs overseeing daily operations in the plant. Stephen’s work as the executive Vice President focused on product distribution and leading their award-winning sales team. Anthony and Lillian cherished their daughter-in-law Janice who was always just steps away lending her support and love.

Anthony loved every minute that he got to spend with his dear and only brother Arthur N. Papetti. Every business day Anthony and Arthur had lunch together at twelve noon sharp. Anthony loved hearing stories about his beloved nephew AJ and his love of sports, his vibrant niece Tina who was always there to brighten the day at Papetti’s, and his youngest niece Mary Barbara and her academic accomplishments throughout her education.

One of Anthony’s and Lillian’s greatest joys in their lives was to be able to spend fun and exciting times with their beloved grandchildren, Julia, Anthony, Lily, Ava, Toni and Carla and great grand daughter Caterina. This included accompanying his grandchildren to Walt Disney World every Christmas vacation, taking the entire family to the Radio City Christmas show and enjoying a hearty steak dinner at Del Frisco’s in New York City. Anthony looked forward to spending his summers at the Jersey Shore taking walks to the beach and sneaking in a donut or two.  No matter how many commitments Anthony had he always found time to attend every birthday, graduation, wedding, sporting events, and other celebration for his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their families. Tony was blessed to also have a close relationship with Arthur’s grandchildren, Bianca, Alanna, Andrew, AJ Jr, Vincent, Dylan, Mary Jane and Elizabeth.

Anthony was a benefactor to many Catholic charities. Anthony served on various boards including the Summit Bank and Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital (now known as Trinitas Hospital) where he became man of the year. He was a member of the Order Sons of Italy in America where he was knighted, and he was an active member of both Saint Anthony’s Church in Elizabeth and Saint Catharine’s Church in Holmdel.

Anthony will be remembered as loving to drive around in his classic Lincoln Continental and his two-seater Lexus sport car. He was also an admirer of classic Hollywood cinema amassing a remarkable collection of signed autographs, lithographs and movie posters. When Anthony wasn’t enjoying his comfortable lazy chair, he could be found in his basement shooting a rack of nine ball next to his gigantic poster of Jackie Gleason.

He was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Santina (DeStefano) Papetti, his brother, Arthur N. Papetti. Anthony is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Lillian (Urso) Papetti, his loving children, Al Papetti of Colts Neck, New Jersey, Stephen Papetti and his wife, Janice of Holmdel, New Jersey, and his cherished grandchildren, Julia Papetti-DeTommaso and her husband Vincent, Anthony Stephen Papetti, Ava Papetti, Lily Papetti, Toni Papetti and Carla Papetti and his dear great-granddaughter, Caterina DeTommaso. Anthony is also the cherished uncle of Tina and Frank Noll, AJ and Mindy Papetti, Mary Barbara Papetti and Ryan Granito, and Debbie and Gary Seals. He also leaves behind many great nieces and nephews. Tony will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 from 3:30 to 8:30 PM Thursday morning, June 20, 2019 from 9:15 to 10:00 AM at the Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday morning, June 20, 2019 at 10:45 AM at St. Catharine’s Roman Catholic Church, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum, 900 Holmdel Road, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733. For information, directions, or to send condolences to the family, please visits, www.shorepointfh.com.

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