Helen Esposito 1930-2013

Helen was born on Feb. 25, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to William and Margaret Mintler.

She graduated from The Girls Commercial High School in Brooklyn.

In 1950, Helen married Edward Esposito, also from Brooklyn, and they made their home in Warren.

Helen was a devoted mother to their six children, Edward, Paul, Patrick, Barbara, Janet and Michael.

She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Warren.

In 1970, Helen and Ed started United Refractories Inc., which they owned for 38 years. It gave her great joy knowing that they supported hundreds of families with employment over that time.

In 1977, they purchased and ran Farmer Jim’s Swimming and Picnic Grounds. Helen liked working the gate at Farmer Jim’s, and was later responsible for its transformation to an indoor soccer facility.

After retiring, Helen and Ed lived in Hobe Sound, Fla., and North Beach, N.J. Many of her happiest times were spent at her home at the Jersey Shore, crabbing, fishing, boating, and having family dinners with those she loved. Helen was a wonderful cook who enjoyed being in her kitchen and sharing her jams, soups and other signature recipes.

Helen enjoyed playing slot machines, and truly won most of the time. She celebrated her 81st birthday in Las Vegas, where she won 14 jackpots in 24 hours.

Helen is survived by her husband, Ed Esposito; her sisters, Barbara (Nick) DiMattei and Dorothy (George) Vallario; her sons, Ed Esposito Jr., Patrick (Debbie) and Michael (Marlea); her daughters, Barbara (Jack) Leary and Janet (Ed) Hazboun; her daughter-in-law, Karen; her grandchildren, Jessica Thomas, Anthony (Katelyn) and Stephanie (Andy) Blossom, Melissa, Patrick (Kim) and Bridget (Ottavio) Musumeci, Angela (Matt) Bulman, Michael, Emily and Danny Gisewhite, Rachel (Aaron) Luther, Joe (Amy) Gisewhite, Gary Bridgens, Maggie (Athey) Lutz, Alexis (Sergio) DiFranco, Edward Hazboun, Nicole Esposito and Alana (Justin) Coates; and her great-grandchildren, Madison, Ava, Santino, Luca, Giulia, Giuseppe, Ottavio, Giovanni, Colin, Alex, Fiona, Jonah, Elijah, Lyla and Spencer.

Grandma Helen never forgot a birthday.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, David Mintler; her son, Paul; her great- grandsons, Leonardo and Grayson; her nephew, Michael Vallario; and her niece, Kristen Mintler.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, North Road, Warren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Blessed Sacrament Church, Reeves Road, Warren, with the Rev. Thomas Eisweirth officiating and the Rev. Donald King as co-celebrant.

During her lifetime, Helen supported many charities, and events. One of her favorite causes was The Smile Train. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in her memory to the Smile Train, P.O. Box 96246, Washington, D.C. 20090-6246, or www.smiletrain.com.

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