Obituary of Philip Damato

Damato, Philip, age 89, of Franklin Lakes, died peacefully with his son by his side on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at New York Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Philip was born in Paterson, NJ and had lived in Wyckoff before moving to Franklin Lakes many years ago. Philip, along with his wife, Margaret were longtime parishioners of St. Elizabeth RC Church, Wyckoff, NJ. Philip’s work ethic was instilled in him at the very young age of 11 when he began working for his father’s business, Joseph Damato Paperstock Corp., established in Paterson, NJ in 1922. Philip had the gift to be a very successful entrepreneur carrying on the family business until his retirement in 2009. Philip also served as President of Cortina Ristorante, located in Paterson. Philip was a well known member of the Italian Circle, a social club that did many good deeds for the Paterson Community. Members of the Italian Circle met in the same building which is now Cortina’s Restaurant. He was the beloved husband of Margaret “Peggy” (nee Taylor) Damato of Franklin Lakes and the adored father of Joseph Damato, Palisade Park and the late Kathleen Damato who predeceased her father on August 16, 2006. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 18th from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 19th at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth RC Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Interment will follow in Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phil’s memory to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07505 or St. Elizabeth RC Church, Angel Fund, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.