Grace (Santapola) Guagliardo

Grace Guagliardo slipped gently into a new life surrounded by love with her close-knit family by her side on September 20, 2021.  Born in Brooklyn, NY, Grace moved to Bayonne where she has resided for the past 58 years.

She and her late husband, Giacomo, owned and operated several delicatessens in the Bayonne area including Gracie’s Luncheonette, a prosperous business located on 22nd Street and Avenue F that she and her husband proudly operated from 1977 to 1999.  After selling the business Grace stayed active and busy by working in the Hospitality Shop at Bayonne Hospital and then as a lunch aide for Lincoln Community School.

Grace appreciated life and lived each day to the fullest.  She treasured spending time with her sister and best friend, Gloria, along with other family members and friends for a night of dining and dancing at some of Bayonne’s finest local restaurants where her nephew, Billy Sacks, played keyboard and sang many of her favorite songs. 

Grace’s door was always open as she embraced those around her with open arms making each person feel special and welcomed.  She took extreme pride in her home where she hosted countless holiday gatherings and backyard barbeques followed by an afternoon of swimming in her backyard oasis.  In her leisure time she took joy in connecting with friends on social media, watching soap operas, and never missed an episode of the reality show “90 Day Fiancé”.  

Grace was a beautiful woman on the inside and out and had a sense of style and elegance that was admired by many.   Those who had the good fortune to cross paths with her knew a kind, thoughtful, and sassy person.  She will be missed beyond measure and loved eternally. 

Grace was predeceased by her dearly beloved husband, Giacomo, with whom she shared 58 wonderful years of togetherness; her parents, Joseph and Mary (Scafidi) Santapola, siblings, Mary Lella, Jean Santapola, Connie Azar, Joseph Santapola, and her son-in-law, Mark Dean.  Left to cherish her memory are her devoted children, Linda Zuchowski (Stephen), Cindy Obrycki (Robert), Suzanne Dean, Anette Guagliardo, and John Guagliardo (Kelly),  sister, Gloria Toro, brother, Salvatore Santapola, six grandchildren, Jodi Zuchowski, Raymond Zuchowski, Kevin Anderson, Chelsea, and Brandon Guagliardo, and Cassie Laszkow, one great-grandson, Joseph Zuchowski, goddaughter, Laurie Schiavello, and many loving nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at the Dworzanski & Son Funeral Home on Friday, September 24, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  A funeral mass in Grace's honor will be offered on Saturday, September 25 at 10:30 AM at St. John Paul II Parish, 39 East 22nd Street, Bayonne.  Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum, North Arlington, NJ.

The Magic in a Mother’s  Touch

There’s magic in a Mother’s touch,
and sunshine in her smile.
There’s love in everything she does
to make our lives worthwhile.
We can find both hope and courage
Just by looking in her eyes.
Her laughter is a source of joy,
her works are warm and wise.
There is a kindness and compassion
to be found in her embrace,
and we see the light of heaven
shining from a Mother’s face.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Grace (Santapola) Guagliardo, please visit our floral store.