Cousin Buddy will be remembered as an iconic member of the Esposito family. He had an amazing knowledge of the Aunts and Uncles that were the first generation Americans. Buddy could tell you fascinating facts about them. For instance, did you know that Uncle Paul was wounded in Italy in WWII, and then crawled in a trench, not knowing whether it would lead to the American or German lines? Or that Buddy’s father, Uncle Joe, was appointed a Justice of the Peace by Governor Charles Edison, Thomas Edison’s brother? I would have never heard of these anecdotes were it not for Buddy. Tales of his own deeds over his 82 years, in the masterful way that he could tell them, were equally interesting. During his time on earth he built a rich history as a Baseball player, Navy veteran, a farrier (a person who shoes horses) and even as a factory worker, working at the zinc plant in Gloucester with my dad, known as Uncle Reds. Buddy was naturally adept at making you laugh or just shake your head, no matter the subject.
I’ll miss him, his unique knowledge of our ancestors, his life experience stories, his humor and his pride in country and family. I am sorry for his loss and will always be thankful that I had the opportunity to be close to him as a first cousin and friend.
-John Esposito