Vito J. (Willie) Brenna

714 Remsen Avenue, Franklin Park
Across from Franklin Park.
Once upon a time this was Home Laundry:)

Vito J. ['']Willie[''] Brenna, was born in Trenton on Jan.
8, 1919. He was a graduate of Trenton Central High School
(Class of 1937) and attended Wooster College, Wooster, OH,
before returning home to help with the family business of
Home Laundry on Remsen Street, Trenton. Mr. Brenna operated
the Home Laundry until 1970, and then went to work at the Fort
Dix Army Base laundry as a quality assurance inspector. After
his retirement from Fort Dix in 1982, Mr. Brenna continued his
work at the Brenna Funeral Home where he was a regular presence
at viewings and funerals or as he said ['']standing at the
door.[''] He continued this work on a part-time basis until his
departure for Florida in 2002. In 1952 Mr. Brenna's life changed
forever when visiting nurse Anne Hughes came to the family home
to care for his father, Giuseppe Brenna. Vito often remarked
that he knew ['']that was the girl for me![''] He wooed her and
won her, and they were married on Valentine's Day, 1953. Their
marriage was a strong and enduring one that taught their children
the true meaning of love and partnership. This great love lasted
35 years until Anne's death in 1988. Son of the late Giuseppe and
Mary (Vitella) Brenna, husband of the late Anne Hughes Brenna.
He loved life, food, and establishing a feeling of welcome. He
was never happier than when feeding a large group of family and
friends. He was an outstanding cook and passed on many family
recipes in the traditional San Felese style which will live on
in many branches of the family in many geographic locations.

UPDATE
Angela Brenna Zipperer said...
Thanks so much for including my dad in your blog. (I can
just hear him now saying "kid, what the hell's a blog?")
I have many great memories of growing up in the Franklin
Park/Chambersburg area. It seemed like no matter where we
went with our dad he knew people everywhere. I've enjoyed
browsing your blog but I'm not gonna lie.....it's making
me very hungry! Torpedo rolls from New Colonial, cold
cuts from Mazzilli's, ice cream from Triangle drive in,
pignoli nut cookies from Barberos and a hot dog from
Casino...lots of happy eating memories along with happy
memories of growing up in another time and place.