Obituary of John Cariddi

Honorable John J. Cariddi, of Mahwah, New Jersey and Jensen Beach, Florida, died September 18, 2008 at his home in Jensen Beach. Born in the Province of Reggio Calabria, John was raised in a small village of 850. At the age of 5, Johns family immigrated to the United States settling in Hackensack, New Jersey, where he lived until May, 1986.

Graduating from Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York, where he majored in Political Science, he decided that the practice of law was his calling. Enrolling in the University of Miami, Florida Law School, his scholastic abilities enabled him to graduate in the top of his class.

In 1943, after having graduated from college where he was in the US Army Air Force Reserve, John was called to active duty and shipped overseas to the largest Air Force Base (8th Air Force) as a Criminal Investigator with the Provost Marshalls Office. He remained there for four years, where he met his wife, Joyce, a lovely and talented English woman. John and Joyce were married in 1947, and finally returned to the United States to resume their life.

John became an attorney in 1955 and was an active trial lawyer, primarily in Criminal and Matrimonial areas of the law. The New York Times referred to him in a prominent article as one of the five best Criminal Trial Lawyers in the State of New Jersey. During his practice at various times, five of his associates became prominent attorneys, and several hold public office. In 1971, Governor Cahill nominated John to the Bergen County District Court where he served with distinction before being elevated to the Bergen County Court in 1972. Subsequently, he was appointed to the Superior Court, having served for about 16 years on the Bench. During the years from 1955 to 1971, John served various municipalities as Prosecutor for the City of Hackensack, Borough of Little Ferry, Township of South Hackensack, and the Borough of Midland Park. He was also appointed City Attorney for the City of Hackensack in 1968. During this period of time, he also served as Secretary to the Minority Leader of the New Jersey Assembly. John retired from the bench on August 1, 1986, and is now associated with the law firm of Galantucci and Patuto of Hackensack as Of Counsel. In September, 1986, the firm was appointed City Attorney for Hackensack. He was past commander of VFW Post 55 Demarest, NJ and was a member of the Palisades Park Chapter UNICO.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Joyce Cariddi of Jensen Beach and Mahwah; sons, Robert Cariddi of Palm City and Frank Cariddi of Mahwah and 2 grandchildren, Mackenzie and Frankie John.

SERVICES: Visitation will be at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church and burial in Maryrest Cemetery both in Mahwah. Arrangements in Florida are under the direction of Forest Hills Funeral Homes Palm City Chapel, Palm City Florida.

For those who wish, contributions may be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201, SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997or at (772)403-4530 or at www.tchospices.org.