Obituary of Peter Paul Garibaldi

The Honorable Senator Peter Paul Garibaldi, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune NJ after a brief but courageous fight with late-stage cancer.

Born September 12, 1931 to parents Patrina and Pietro Garibaldi in Jamesburg, New Jersey. Peter was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Philip, Daniel, Louis, Arthur, Francis (Frank), and Victoria.

Peter's life was filled with an astonishing array of achievements. A graduate of Jamesburg High School, class of 1949, Peter was an award-winning athlete serving as captain for the Tomahawk soccer, baseball, and basketball teams. His refined athleticism led to recruitment and playing for the Muncie Reds as a first baseman. He then pursued academia, beginning a pre-law program at Rutgers University. His academic studies were put on hold when he was called to serve his country as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force piloting P-51 fighter planes. Peter would later resume his academic studies at Ryder University, graduating with an accounting degree. Ever ambitious, Peter went on to earn his C.P.A. license and establish his own tax accounting practice.

In 1956, Peter married his soulmate Lynne M. Wright, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and their family soon began to grow. After training from his maestro stonemason father, Pietro, Peter built their Monroe Township home laying 75,000 bricks with his brothers and Dad for his wife and children. They split their time between Monroe and Seaside Park, New Jersey, where the family spent vacations and holidays and where Peter enjoyed flying his seaplane over Barnegat Bay, often landing right in front of their bayfront home.

A natural born leader, Peter's sense of duty and service endured throughout his lifetime. After serving his country, Peter also served his local community and his home state of New Jersey. He was elected as a Monroe Township Councilman for 3 terms, as well as a New Jersey State Assemblyman for 3 terms. He was elected to Monroe Township Mayor for 3 consecutive 4-year terms and then elected to the New Jersey State Senate, all while continuing to maintain his professional accounting practice. Peter maintained his license and tax accounting practice continuously to the age of 90.

In Peter's retirement, he and his wife of 67 years, Lynne, traveled the world together. His love of adventure took them from Egypt to Asia, from Italy to the Caribbean, from Alaska to Hawaii and to countless other countries and US National Parks in between.

Predeceasing Peter are his daughters, infant Laura Diane and Rhonda K. Garibaldi and his great granddaughter Lucille "Lucy" E. Garibaldi.

Peter was the beloved husband of Lynne M. (Wright). He was the loving father of 7 children, sons Peter (Karen) of Lebanon, NJ, David (Rene) of Washington, NJ, Arthur (Donna) of Jackson, NJ, Michael (Sonia) of South Brunswick and daughter Valerie Sunhachawi (Peter) of East Brunswick, NJ. Peter will also be deeply missed by his sisters Linda (Skip) Hudlow and Diana (Steven) Wilbur.

Peter was the cherished grandfather of 9 grandchildren, grandsons Peter P. Garibaldi, III (Emily), David C. Garibaldi (Rachel), Arthur "A.J." Garibaldi, Andrew W. Garibaldi (Kaitlyn), Anthony M. Garibaldi, Daniel P. Garibaldi and granddaughters Katherine L. Garibaldi, Nicole G. Alparone (Anthony), and Amy Garibaldi.  He was the proud great grandfather of 6 great grandchildren: Isabel, Chloe, Charlie, Marley, Della, and a great grandson due in December.  Peter was loved and will be greatly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, friends, family, and colleagues who will always remember him as an inspirational, vibrant, and extraordinary man.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter's memory may be made to Alex's Lemonade Stand, supporting children impacted by Pediatric Cancer.(https://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/3446631).