Obituary of Vito Candela

Vito Candela, 82, of Mercerville, and formerly of Lawrenceville, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, Trenton. Born in Carini, Sicily, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1960. He had brief stay in Brooklyn, New York. He moved to Lawrence Twp., in 1969 where both he and his wife Rosalia raised their family. He started a restaurant business with family, originally named Peter Brother’s Pizzeria. Vito, along with his wife were the proprietors of Candela’s Restaurant on Lawn Park Avenue until his retirement at 63 years old in 2001. He came out of retirement to work for the Trenton Parking Authority for 10 years. He was a longtime parishioner at The Church of St. Ann and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Some of his hobbies included gardening, making wine with his grandchildren and sons-in-law and he cherished his pasta Sundays with his family. He also loved watching international soccer and formula one racing. He was thrilled when the Italian National Soccer Team won the World Cup. As an avid sports fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, he was happy to witness them win a Superbowl and World Series. He enjoyed traveling to Brigantine NJ in the summertime, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was a strong supporter of our soldiers and veterans. Predeceased by his parents Francesco and Francesca Candela and his brother Giuseppe Candela; he is survived by his devoted wife Rosalia Candela; his loving children and their spouses Francesco “Frank” Candela, Francesca and Dean McDonald, Pietro “Pete” and Lisa Candela; and Rosalia and William Sponsel; his adoring grandchildren Sara Rose McDonald, Gregory Reese McDonald, Ava Rose Candela, William “Joseph” Sponsel, Vito Giovanni Candela, and Elena Rose Sponsel; four siblings Gaetano “Tommy” Candela, of Lynbrook, NY, Vincenzo Candela of Carini, Sicily, Italy, Anna Merendino of Carini, Sicily, Italy and Antonino Candela of Carini, Sicily, Italy; many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and life-long friends. A Mass of Christian Burial and entombment will be held privately and at the convenience of the family due to COVID-19 restrictions. There will be a livestream mass and entombment for those that wish to participate. Please visit the livestream Mass link on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 11AM at https://eulogystream.zoom.us/j/81939757972 and the livestream entombment link on Tuesday afternoon at 12:30PM at https://eulogystream.zoom.us/j/89584688768 A memorial mass or celebration of life service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to American Kidney Fund by visiting www.kindeyfund.org.