WILDWOOD – The guy who is believed to be Wildwood High School’s oldest living graduate, Joe Cianciarulo, celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family at Duffinetti’s Restaurant on Friday, June 27.
Like many of those who’ve lived on Five Mile Island over the years, Cianciarulo was born in South Philadelphia, near 10th and Mifflin, but moved to the Wildwoods at a young age.
According to his daughter, Anita Vincent, his mother died when he was 5 and his brother, John, was only 3. When he was 9, his father died in a car wreck, and he went to live with his grandparents, Judge Joseph and Caterina Cianciarulo, on Aster Road in Wildwood Crest.
After he graduated from Wildwood High School in 1942, Cianciarulo entered the Navy during World War II and served in Trinidad, where he helped repair airplanes. After the war, he went to school for electrical engineering and eventually settled in a career as the vice president of sales for Novatronics, an aeronautics manufacturing firm in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Cianciarulo bought a home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but also maintained a home on Pacific Avenue in Wildwood Crest for more than 50 years. The Cianciarulos would visit the Crest each year and sometimes travel in a rented RV.
When he was on Five Mile Island, he loved to sail.
“He had at least three sailboats,” Vincent said, “and he used to crew a sailboat.”
She said he crewed in a sailing race that went to Cuba and back. He was a member of the Gulf Stream Sailing Club and served for one year as its commodore.
Cianciarulo had two sons, whom he named Joe and John. His brother John would also have two sons who were named Joe and John. Cianciarulo also had two daughters, Toni, the oldest, and Anita, followed by Joe and John.
A few years after his wife of 52 years, Coralie, died in 2002, he met Julie Haines, who has been a companion ever since.
According to Vincent, Cianciarulo remained active for many years. “He played racquetball and was always active,” she said.
In his 80s the family took a trip to Maui, where they went on an excursion that included snorkeling with sea turtles, horseback riding and riding a bicycle down a volcano’s slopes.
Vincent said two birthday parties were held this year for Cianciarulo – one in Florida, and another at Duffinetti’s. She said relatives came to Wildwood from as far away as Georgia and California, and that about 40 people attended the party, which marked the restaurant’s 10th anniversary as well.
Last year, when Cianciarulo was 99, he was given a plaque at an all-years reunion of Wildwood High School as the oldest living alumnus.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano recalled the guy he knew as “Joe Cianch.” “My father was very friendly with Joe. All the Italian people in the community knew each other,” Troiano said.
According to the mayor, Cianciarulo was the oldest person at the reunion and one of the oldest living graduates they were aware of.
“He is probably the last of that generation,” he said.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
