Obituary of Mario Damiani

Mario Damiani, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, June 18, 2024 at the Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, following a brief illness. He was 85.

Born in Pisticci, Basilicata, Italy to the late Vincenzo and Immacolata (nee Nivuori) Damiani, Mario immigrated to the United States in 1957, settling in Brooklyn, NY. He later moved to Parsippany, NJ, and subsequently came to the Towaco section of Montville Township, NJ in 1977.

In 1947 Mr. Damiani began apprenticing as a tailor in Sartoria Barbone in Pisticci, Italy while he was attending school. After coming to America, he studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY.

A tailor by trade, Mario worked briefly in a tailor shop in Brooklyn, NY before making the transition to the art of tailoring women's garments in the famous New York Garment District in 1963. He had worked with Norman Sportswear for Women, and in 1972 gained employment with Randall Evening Gowns. He later purchased the company and changed the company's name to Dalma where he produced ultra-luxurious women's wear in concert with famous designers such as Malcolm Starr, Bill Blass, Geoffrey Beene, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, and Oscar de la Renta. In 2016, he closed Dalma, and became a plant manager with Oscar de la Renta Women's Fashion Wear, where he oversaw production of high-end evening gowns, dresses and suits until his retirement.

Mr. Damiani was a longtime and active member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Montville, NJ where he served over 25 years as an usher. He was also a member of Calabrian National Forum where he served on the Executive Board. He was honored as "Man of the Year" by the Calabrian National Forum in 2018.

Mario was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lisa Damiani. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Giovanna (nee Cammardella); two loving children, Mary Lou Damiani and Mario Damiani Jr., both of Towaco, NJ; and four dear siblings, Rocco Damiani and his wife Ann of Palm Beach, FL, Angela Grieco and her husband, Sal of Hillsborough, NJ, Dino Damiani of Hillsborough, NJ and Peter Damiani and his wife, Nancy of Barnegat, NJ. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and one great-grandnephew, Rory, who he adored.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Sunday, June 23, 2024, 4:00pm - 8:00pm at S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, NJ. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, June 24, 2024 10am at St. Pius X R.C. Church, Montville, NJ. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial gifts to the New Jersey State Organization of Cystic Fibrosis (NJSOCF) 137 Union Boulevard, Totowa, NJ 07512 (https://njsocf).

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