PARSIPPANY — 50+ year Parsippany resident celebrates his 95th birthday among friends and family at the Parsippany Senior Center.
On October 2, 2017, Joseph G, Bulgarini (Joe) celebrated his 95th birthday among friends and family at the Parsippany Senior Center on Knoll Drive. The Mayor of Parsippany, James Barberio, graciously read a proclamation honoring the long standing resident by officially declaring October 2, 2017 “Joseph G. Bulgarini Day.”
Prior to the day’s event, Joe was recognized as September 2017’s “Parsippany Senior of the Month.” He was asked to draft a biography that was posted throughout the Senior Center. The content of that follows:
Joe was raised during the Great Depression. An athlete, he played semi-pro football for the Clifton Starlings.
Joe was drafted into the Army during World War II, and reported for boot camp on January 2, 1943. He was assigned to US Army Corps of Engineers, obtaining rank of Sergeant and served for over three years during which he spent over two years overseas. He was discharged from the Army in spring of 1946. Afterwards, he opened “Courtesy Cab” company with radio dispatch in June 1946, owning a livery service with five cabs and two limousines.
Joe married Louise Ficarra in October of 1946, and they had two daughters, Carol and Janice. With his wife’s urging, he went back to school, earning his high school diploma at Clifton High School, then went on to graduate from Rutgers University. This resulted from 13 1/2 years of part-time studies, some at home, some at Rutgers’ Paterson Campus. After graduating Rutgers, Joe worked for Curtis Wright as model maker and supervisor.
The Bulgarini family left Clifton in 1966 for employment in Morris County. Later jobs included school supervisor of Buildings & Grounds for the Morris Hills School District.
In 1977, Joe and Louise bought a beach house in Monterey Beach at the NJ Shore where they enjoyed many walks and bike rides through the years. Late in life, their trips expanded to include world travel, along with winters spent with great friends at a camp ground in Key Largo, Florida.
Joe greatly misses his wife, with whom he began his daily lunches at the Parsippany Senior Center. She passed away in 2014, at almost 90 years of age, and after 68 years of marriage.
Aside from work, Joe has many hobbies. He enjoys fixing anything from lawn chairs to lawnmowers to electronics. He began a stamp collection at age eight and hasn’t stopped since. In addition, he is an avid fisherman; aside from his wife, his fishing pole was his most constant life companion.
Joe lives on Lake Parsippany, with a well worn swing facing the water that has seen 3 generations – from his two teenage daughters who moved there, to three grandchildren (Sharon, David & Cheryl), and now two great grandchildren (Carina, age 9, and Victoria, age 6).
