It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Josephine Plumeri. Our castle, that bears her name, is draped in bunting in tribute to all who mourn. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Plumeri family.

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Published in The Trentonian on January 22, 2012josephine-plumeri-2.jpg
ROBBINSVILLE - Josephine Plumeri, 97, of Robbinsville, formerly of Trenton, passed away on Friday Jan. 20, 2012, after a brief illness, at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Hopewell.

Josephine was a graduate of Trenton High School and continued her education at Rider College and Trenton State Teachers College, graduating in 1934. She also studied piano at the Trenton Conservatory of Music.

Josephine was predeceased by her husband, former Trenton City Commissioner, well respected Trenton businessman and founder and owner of the Trenton Thunder Baseball Team, Samuel J. Plumeri, Sr.

Josephine’s working career at Trenton Board of Education and the State Unemployment Compensation Bureau ended with her marriage to her soul mate and lifelong love Samuel J. Plumeri, Sr.

On Sept. 25, 1938 Josephine Vacarro married Samuel J. Plumeri, Sr. at St. James Church in North Trenton, New Jersey. Their combined commitment to community and church was evident, Josephine was an active member of the St. James Parent Teacher Association and the St. James Rosary Society. She supported her husband’s work when Sam became chairman of the 1957 campaign to build a new St. James Church and convert the old church into a recreation hall for the youth of the neighborhood. On Sept. 7, 1959 Samuel and Josephine attended the groundbreaking of the St. James Church that stands today.

The marriage of Josephine and Sam was much more of a loving partnership. Josephine became her husband’s partner in his real estate business after their marriage. A devoted wife and a smart and talented businesswoman, Josephine managed it all.

Sixty years later, in a Rider Alumni Magazine article, Sam Plumeri, Sr. was quoted as saying, “I may carry the formal title with the Thunder, but Josephine’s been at my side from the very beginning. That goes back to the family business I inherited from my father. She could have chosen to pursue a business career in her own right, but she stayed with me.”

Daughter of the late Santo and Angelina Vacarro, Josephine was born on June 30, 1914 in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Josephine and her family moved to Trenton, New Jersey in 1921 settling in North Trenton.
Following the early deaths of both her parents, Josephine was raised in the North Trenton neighborhood along Brunswick Avenue by her Aunt, who she affectionately referred to as Tootsie Francis.

Josephine is survived by her three sons, Joseph J. Plumeri, II, Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr. and Paul Plumeri. She spent her life caring for “her boys” until the very end. Her children were her world and she was always so quick to share the stories of their successes. Adding to the joy in her life, her grandchildren, Jessica Amodio, Matthew Plumeri, Paul Plumeri, Jr., Jay Plumeri and Leslie LeVasseur and the next greatest joy of her life, her seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nina Rose, Samuel, Jackson, Maya, Christian, and Ryder Rose. Josephine was predeceased by her grandson Christian Plumeri in 2009.

Josephine also leaves behind many nieces and nephews to cherish her memory. As well as a special friend, who contributed to the wonderful quality of Josephine’s life during these last ten years, Linda Jurey.