The 75-year-old immigrant served in the Italian army, made his own wine and bred dogs before he was fatally struck by a car.
"Santo, everybody can't be like you!"
Nate Ku would sometimes say that when his perfectionist co-worker, Santo Picione, insisted on how things should be done. But Picione seemed to know a bit about a lot of things.
Santo J. Picione (Courtesy photo) An obituary paints a rich life for the 75-year-old, who died after a car accident Friday evening -- he was struck by a vehicle as he walked near his home in the 800 block of Uniontown Road in Lopatcong Township. Police on Wednesday said the accident is still under investigation and that no charges have been filed.
Picione was born in Sicily, worked on the family farm and served as a bus driver in the Italian army, according to his obit. He came to the U.S. in 1967 and his first wife died in 1988.
For 35 years, he worked as a meat cutter at ShopRites in Easton and Phillipsburg, and after retirement he worked with Ku a couple days a week at Bagel Shack in Lopatcong.
Picione bred Saint Bernards and kept extensive gardens at his home, the obituary says. From the fruit trees and vineyards, he made his own wine and brandy.
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Ku said he knew some of Picione's story, but he mostly talked about work.
"He was definitely a hard worker," Ku said. "No doubt about it."
He is survived by his wife, three sons and his grandchildren.
A viewing is scheduled for 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at The Finegan Funeral Home, 302 Heckman St. in Phillipsburg. A funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church, 430 S. Main St., Phillipsburg.
The obituary suggests donations in his name be be made to the church or Common Sense for Animals.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.