Giulio “Masta Giul” Scotto, age 84 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at home, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born in Naples, Italy, the son of the late Antonio and Michelle Maria Scotto, he was raised in Italy and emigrating to the United States in 1956.

A true patriarch, Giulio came to the United States for a better life. He believed in the “American Dream”, and worked hard to achieve it. He understood in his heart, that if you wanted to do anything, the United States would afford you that opportunity. It is the message that he has passed on to his children, grandchildren and all who have been fortunate enough to know him and call him friend.

Serving in the Italian Navy before coming to the United States, Giulio always loved the ocean and keeping things in order. Not surprisingly, he settled in Brooklyn near the water with family shorty after his arrival. He worked as a Chef in several local eateries and cooked frequently for Perry Como and his band before pursuing his lifelong trade as a longshoreman.

He would then meet the beautiful Mary, a local girl from the neighborhood, and the two fell in love at first sight. They were married in 1958 at St. Stephens Church in Brooklyn, and recently celebrated sixty years of marriage. Their union would result in two sons, two daughters-in-law, two grandsons and a large, extended family.

Family and food were Giulio’s biggest motivations for waking up each and every day. Giulio and Mary’s home quickly became the center of many family functions and the peace and laughter that came with those functions and Giulio’s warm and welcoming presence.

It helped that Giulio’s love of food was not only at heart, but also in action, and his meals were legendary. He, “Lived To Eat”, and meal time was the most important time in their home. That time was always about more than just food; it was about coming together and spending times laughing, and truly “living” life.

He was a “master” gardener, and loved to cook using his home-grown fresh tomatoes, basil and the like. Family and friends received many gifts from Giulio’s garden over the years.

Giulio earned the nickname, “Masta Giul” due to his ability to create and fix almost anything. His family jokes that he had, “hands of gold,” as he truly was a jack of all trades. From plumbing to electrical, from carpentry to almost any trade needing a thoughtful brain and skilled hands, Giulio was the man who could handle anything and who helped his neighbors any way he could.

Loud and passionate about all that he did, Giulio would want all those reading this to be mindful of the hard work that needs to be put in to achieve the “American Dream.” He would always close out a toast or a party with the words, “God Bless America,” as he never forgot how grateful he was to live in the beautiful melting pot that is the United States.

Suffering a stroke that left him immobilized on his left side several years ago, Giulio faced his new way of living with the same faith that he approached all things in life. That, coupled with family who loved and cared for him as he did for them, enabled him to have many more loving years with family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Gennaro and Luigi Scotto; two sisters, Concetta and Andonella; and by his daughter-in-law, Raffaela Scotto.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Scotto; a son, Anthony Scotto; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Lorelei Scotto; his two grandsons, Giulio and Matthew Scotto; a brother, Michael Scotto; a sister, Enrica Jannuzzi.

Family and friends may gather to celebrate Giulio’s life on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, where he will lie in repose from 5:00-9:00 p.m., as well as on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 9:30-10:15 a.m., all in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Kenneth Brighenti will take place on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ.

Entombment will follow at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, 99 North Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Please visit Giulio’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Giulio’s honor. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated by the family.