Obituary of Barbara Tuzzio

Barbara Elizabeth Sugalski Tuzzio; 90 of Denville, NJ passed away peacefully on September 12, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

​Born in Newark, NJ on September 9, 1931, Betty was raised in Lyndhurst, NJ with her five brothers, whom she adored. Her mother, Genowefa “Genevieve” Płoski Sugalski, was born in Rypin, Poland, and came to the United States as a child. Her father, Józef “Joseph” Sugalski, was also the son of immigrants from Rypin, Poland. They were the proprietors of Jo Joe’s Meat Market, a butcher shop located in Lyndhurst. 

Betty is a graduate of the Lyndhurst school system, where she enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball. One of her favorite pastimes throughout her life was playing cards, which began with frequent games of pinochle and rummy with her brothers. In 1951, she married her high sweetheart classmate Vincent Tuzzio, with whom she would enjoy 37 incredible years together. After a brief period living in Alabama near the army base where her husband was stationed during the Korean War, they would eventually return to Lyndhurst to start their life together. They had two children, Vincent and Doreen, and their successful business Avtech Construction. They were members of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. Betty loved entertaining family and friends and in later years would often reminisce about the warm feeling of always having her loved ones stop in for a visit. She loved her role as grandmother and would often take her grandkids on walks down Ridge Road to get Italian ice and cookies or up Valley Brooke Avenue to the park.

Betty also owned a shore house in Brigantine, NJ, where family would get together during the summer and watch the 4th of July fireworks in Brigantine and Atlantic City. Her property was near that of her close friends of many years, Charlie and Janet Adamo, also of Lyndhurst, with whom she would enjoy time together while on vacation. She enjoyed riding her bike through Brigantine and going on walks on the beach early in the morning.

In 2006, Betty moved to Denville to be closer to her children and their families. In Denville she was a proud member of the St. Mary’s Church community, where she would continue to entertain friends and family. She was also part of the Regency at Denville community, where she would play canasta and mahjong with neighbors and friends, and was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Betty lived the final years of her life in Parsippany, NJ, still enjoying visits by friends and family, and still feeling the desire to entertain and provide for her guests. Her kindness, compassion, love, and warmth touched all that had known her, and will continue to persist and be remembered in the hearts of her loved ones. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Vincent Tuzzio, in 1988. She is also predeceased by her brothers Joseph, Vin, Walter “Wally”, and John “Vic” Sugalski. She is survived by her brother Raymond Sugalski. She is also survived by her son and daughter-in-law Vincent and Leslie Tuzzio, her daughter and son-in-law Doreen and Rory Cole, and her five grandchildren: Dane, Carolina Tuzzio, Devin Tuzzio,Rob;  Brittany Cole, Joanna, Jesse Cole, Stephanie and Casey Cole. She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends who all will miss her greatly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 17th at 10 am at St. Mary's Church, Denville.  Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, North Arlington.  Friends and relatives may visit on Thursday, September 16th from 6-8 pm at the funeral home.  Masks will be required at both the visitation and the Mass.  

Donations in her memory may be made to the good work of the Alzheimer's Association, NJ Chapter, 23 Vreeland Rd. #105 Florham Park, NJ 07932.