Joseph Henry Battista

Joseph Henry Battista "Papa Batts", 79, of Hamilton, NJ, entered into his eternal rest with the Lord on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Hamilton Grove Healthcare and Rehab.  Joseph retired after about 32 years from NJ Transit as a bus driver.  In his earlier career he delivered for Coca-Cola, Barbero’s Bakery, People’s Bakery, and as a tomato pie man for his family's restaurant Lola’s Pizzeria. He loved to drive and was a huge fan of the Geenbay Packers and the St, Louis Cardinals, but his greatest passion was his love for food, especially pasta. 

Son of the late Joseph and Mary “Theresa” (Francese) Battista; brother of the late Frederick Santitoro, Concetta Marino, Emily Benedetti, Maryanne Chordas, and Sammy Battista; brother-in-law of the late Stella L. Castaldo; Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Georgiana (Castaldo) Battista; two sons, Joseph D. Battista and wife Darlene, and Sammy Battista and fiance Theresa Giovacchini; his only granddaughter Stella Battista, a nephew, John Castaldo; and other nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Gregory the Great Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ.  Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, 1200 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, NJ.  Family and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday evening from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday morning from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Hamilton Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home, 2365 Whitehorse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit Joseph’s tribute page at www.brennacellinifuneralhomes.com 

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