Assunta Balsano

Assunta Balsano, 82, died Friday, January 13, 2017, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Somerset. Born in San Donato di Ninea, Italy, she was the daughter of Giovanni and Rosina [Todaro] Caruso. She emigrated to the United States in 1980 with her husband, Giuseppe, and became a citizen July 4, 1986, during the grand reopening ceremony of the Statue of Liberty. Assunta is survived by her beloved husband of sixty-two years, Giuseppe; her children, Saverio Balsano, of Argentina, Giovanni Balsano of Branchburg, Lucia Balsano of South Bound Brook, Rosana Gerzanich of Florida, Maria Celeste Balsano of Florida; her twelve grandchildren, and her nine beloved great grandchildren. Assunta loved to garden and cook, and made the best pizza this side of Italy. She had a generous heart, an abundant table, and an open invitation into her home for family and friends both near and far. Relatives and friends will gather Tuesday, 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Funeral services will begin 8:45 A.M. Wednesday, January 18, at the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in Bound Brook. Interment will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery.