Modestino Lucarelli, 89 years old, of Freehold passed away on December 31, 2025.

Modestino, lovingly called Moe by all those who knew him, was born and raised in Brooklyn.  He was the first of Angelo and Antoinette’s (Nettie’s) five children.

Moe was blessed to find the singular love of his life, Rose, and he spent 65 and a half years as her devoted husband.  Moe and his friend (Patsy Noto) literally arrived at Rose’s doorstep one fateful day for a double date with Rose and her younger sister Rita.  Rose had just come home from an afternoon at the beach, and she was unaware of their plans. As the story goes, Moe was instantly captivated and stretched the truth a bit to improve his chances of persuading the tall beauty to go out with him.  Moe introduced himself as “Rocky”, and cleverly picking up on her proud nature, he made himself a little older.  He assumed his chance of success would be better if she didn’t know that he was younger than her.  Well, his approach worked, and Moe eventually admitted he knew he would marry Rose after that first encounter.  From there, every card he gave her in the years to follow was adorned with roses, and signed in his unmistakable script as, “Forever Yours, Moe.”

Moe and Rose were married in 1960 at Our Lady of Guadelupe in Brooklyn.  They settled in Bensonhurst, where they enjoyed the comforts of having their large immediate and extended families nearby.  They created friendships that would span decades.

Like many others, Moe and Rose crossed the new bridge to Staten Island in the early 1970s in search of good schools, and a backyard for their children.  With open arms, Moe took his mother-in-law Rosaria with them. Moe and Rosaria shared an elusively close son-in-law / mother-in-law bond, built firmly on a mutual love for simple but delicious Italian food.  She loved to cook, and he sure loved to eat!

Moe served honorably in the United States Army, stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas following WWII. After his time in the Army, Moe joined the NYPD where he worked his way up to Detective in their Internal Affairs Division in lower Manhattan.  Moe wore his blues proudly and never lost his affection and admiration for the force.  His time as a Detective stayed with him for the rest of his life, where his inquisitive nature, curious mind and “eyes behind his head” disposition led to his infamous inquisitions filled with straight to the point questions whenever he just wanted to know more.

Toward the end of his 20-year tenure with the NYPD, Moe supplemented his time as a Detective by attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice, also in Manhattan, in the evenings.  He went on to earn a master’s degree and eventually to start a second career in education.  Moe left the streets of lower Manhattan for an ironically more challenging space, the classroom, where he taught business skills to young teens who hailed from broken homes, and notoriously rough neighborhoods.  His huge heart and creative side were revealed there too, as he surreptitiously taught basic math, reading and writing skills through the fun of makeshift businesses.

Moe worked hard at whatever he did.  If he put his mind to it, he was unrelenting. He often and proudly talked about his daily four-mile walks – which continued for more than 40 years and hardly ever succumbed to an excuse not to do it.  He was fiercely independent, and even as his body became tired, he maintained a strong will to push forward.

That big and generous heart made Moe an easy target, always for Rose, for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and just about anyone he encountered.  Moe sacrificed his time and energy to simultaneously manage multiple jobs which allowed his three children to achieve their educational goals without ever having to pay for a single book.  Although not one for the frivolous expenditure, nothing was spared for his children’s education.  A jug sat loyally beside his dresser, to be filled with spare quarters so that even the bus rides to and from school were covered.  He didn’t buy them cars or take them on fancy vacations, but he provided his children with the tools they would need to find their own success.

After almost 30 years on Staten Island, Moe and Rose crossed the next bridge to NJ.  They followed their children to beautiful Colts Neck for a few years before making another move to an adult community in Freehold where less property, an easier lifestyle and other empty nesters awaited them.

Since the 90’s, Moe and Rose traded their northern Jersey winters for southern Florida, where Moe undoubtedly left his indelible mark among many snowbirds.  They spent the last 15 of those winters in Delray Beach, where new friends Tom and Virginia Famolare became family.  Despite being separated in age by more than a generation, Moe and Rose regularly (and sometimes unintentionally) entertained them with their antics and in return Tom and Ginnie earnestly kept their watchful and loving eyes on them as time started to take its toll.

Each of their homes through the years beautifully showcased Moe’s do it yourself spirit, and love and commitment to his garden and flowers.  As a younger man, he had a penchant for home improvement projects and often rolled up his own sleeves to get the job done well. He dutifully cared for his fig trees and rose bushes as if they were family.  He may have even talked to them when no one was looking.  At his last stop, the apartment shared with Rose is lined with fully bloomed geraniums (even though it is January) and express direction for their continued care.

Everyone loved Moe.  He certainly had a charm and a twinkle.  He knew at least something about almost everything.  He was a romantic at heart. Pavorotti’s Nessun Dorma gave him goosebumps every time he heard it.  Moe chose to live in the moment, declaring each bowl of pasta the best one he ever had, especially if ravioli or spaghetti #8 were served.  He dutifully drove Rose anywhere she wanted to go without complaint, even when it involved three different grocery stores on the same day.  He was fascinated by Roman history, and especially in recent years, enjoyed escaping life’s challenges with a good book.  He was organized, and his checkbook was always balanced to the penny.  He cherished tradition.  Using Rosaria’s techniques, making struffoli for Christmas with his children and grandchildren was an annual highlight.  He enjoyed a good night’s sleep, being outdoors (especially on Tommy’s balcony looking out upon the Navesink to the Atlantic) and many of life’s simple pleasures.

Moe had the gift of generosity.  He was sacrificial with his time, talents and treasure.  In his final earthly act, he made certain that Rose would have all that she needed.  In doing so, more friends became family.  He was eternally grateful for, and adored, the team (Gabi, Arelys, Joanna, Josseling, Teresa and Xiochilt) put in place to care for Rose.  None could resist his charms.  They all cared for him too and adored him right back.

But above all else, Moe was devoted to his Roman Catholic faith.  As a very young boy, Modestino earned money shining shoes so he could buy a ceramic Nativity set.  For the next 80 or so years, he prominently displayed that very Nativity every Christmas.  Over time, the adored dad and grandpa made his children and grandchildren their own Nativity sets, each identical to the original, so that they too could be reminded of the story that matters most.  God was his cornerstone, and his faith informed him every step of the way.  He maintained a lifelong servitude to our Blessed Mother.  The ‘Miraculous Medal’ hung confidently around his neck throughout his life and he used his rosary beads devoutly every single day.  Both sat right beside him and guided him as he gloriously passed from this life to the next.

Moe is survived by his beautiful wife of 65 years, Rose; their three children, Maria and Deacon Richard Gerbino, Colts Neck; Thomas Angelo Lucarelli and Lisa De Santis, Red Bank; and Lori and Michael Amoroso, Fairfield Connecticut; his sisters, Marilyn Volpe, Loraine and Peter Salvato and Angela and Bahram Zadeh; his sisters-in-law, Marilyn Lucarelli and Rita Tramuta; five grandsons, Richard and Allison Gerbino, Justin and Kati Gerbino, Michael Gerbino, Gregory Lucarelli and Alex Lucarelli; two great-granddaughters, Madeleine Grace Gerbino and Giuliana Marie Gerbino, one great-granddaughter due to arrive in 2026; and many nieces and nephews.  Moe was pre-deceased by his brother, Nicholas Lucarelli and his brothers-in-law, Anthony Tramuta and Frank Volpe.

Mass of Roman Catholic burial will be celebrated by his dear friend,

Msgr. Leonard Troiano, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold, NJ

Tuesday, January 6^th at 10:30 am.

 Interment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY.