Louis, 93, and Concetta, 90, have shared an extraordinary life together – seven decades of marriage. Proud of their love and all they’ve accomplished, Louis carries a cherished memento of their special day: their wedding photo, tucked in his wallet at all times.
“It doesn’t seem possible looking back that we’ve accumulated that many years, but we did. A lot of years,” he reflected, showing off the picture.
Before retirement, Concetta was a nurse, and Louis was a supervisor at a plant that makes castings for jet engines. They raised four children, and now their family has grown to include nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren, too. When asked the secret to their long marriage, they shared: “We always talk things out.”
That commitment to weathering all of life’s ups and downs together continues today, and now the couple visits The CARE Center of New Jersey’s Food for Hope pantry in Rockaway every month. On a fixed income, it helps them make sure they have enough to eat.
“When you’re being careful about what you’re spending, coming here makes it a lot easier,” they said. Their daughter joins them on pantry trips to help them get around and shop.
They appreciate the healthy options and wide variety of choices available at the pantry, which is a partner of CFBNJ. “They have fruits and vegetables, and there’s always some protein. They have bread, milk, and eggs. As long as you have bread, milk, and eggs at home, you’re fine,” Concetta explained. The couple also likes the way the staff treats them: “They’re really respectful of our dignity.”
Even after 70 years and with nourishment from the pantry helping to keep them healthy, Louis and Concetta look forward to the future simply: “To be happy. To be together yet.”