Franco Amato – of Bayonne passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Thursday December 24th 2020, he was 74.  He was born in Tripoli and later moved to Catania Sicily before immigrating to The US in 1960.  Franco served his country proudly in The US Army from 1966-69 with one tour of duty in Vietnam.  Franco worked for over 42 years as a Field Service Engineer at Hewlett-Packard which later became Agilent Technologies.  Franco was a past president of The Bayonne Sicilian Citizens Club, past president of Sicilian Federation of NJ, a member of The Bayonne Columbus Committee and serv ed as their Grand Marshall in 2001.  He was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Assumption Church where he served on the finance committee, was a member of The Jesu Nazareno Committee and served as the Chairman to their Annual Feast.  He was a kind, loving and incredibly giving individual who was loved by many and respected by all.  Franco was the current life partner of 18 years to Frances Katusa.  He was the loving father to Joseph Amato (Javier), Franco A. Amato (Kendra), Eric Amato (Danielle) and to Elizabeth Katusa as well as being the beloved grandfather to Ryan, Dominic & Madelyn Amato.  Franco is survived by his sister Lina Amato (Carmelo Sgarlata) in Sicily, his Aunt Nancy Alessi & Uncle Sal Alessi, his niece Milena Sgarlata & nephew Sergio Sgarlata, also in Sicily, his former wife Carolyn (nee: Ward) Amato and a whole host of other loving family members and dear friends both here and in Italy.  Due to COVID-19 the wake service for Franco is PRIVATE. However, ALL are welcome to celebrate a funeral mass for him at 11AM on Tuesday December 29 ^th at St. John Paul II Parish at 39 E. 22 ^nd Street in Bayonne.  Mausoleum entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union , NJ.   In lieu of any flowers the family requests donations be made in Franco's memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital with envelopes available at the funeral home or with a direct link which can be found on Franco's obituary page at www.MigliaccioFuneralHome.com .

The Funeral mass will also be available for LIVE streaming at: https://youtu.be/rQDJ0Hu9AJ4