Dante Martire

Dante Martire ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Shook-Farmer Funeral Home Roseland, nj on Mar. 10, 2026.Dante Martire, 87, of Roseland, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026.Born and raised in Paola, Italy, Dante came to the United States in 1955 at the age of seventeen, settling first in Manhattan with his father and later moving to the Bronx where Dante lived and learned to become a butcher. It was at this time that he discovered his love for dancing, frequenting Italian dance clubs on weekends. When he decided it was time to settle down and get married, he returned to Paola where he met his sweetheart Annina Stefano. They married in 1967 and moved back to the Bronx where they began raising a family. In 1973, the family decided to move back to Paola where they lived for over two years before returning to the United States and finally settling in Fort Lee, NJ where they lived happily for close to 30 years.Upon returning to the United States, Dante and a partner opened a pizzeria restaurant called Roman Pizza in New Milford, NJ. Due to its success, he later opened a second pizzeria restaurant in Fort Lee called Garden Pizza. After about 10 years in the pizzeria business, and due to health concerns, he decided to go back to butchering at Villa Amalfi Restaurant in Cliffside Park. It was there that he learned and developed exceptional culinary skills and became an accomplished cook. He was especially known among family and friends for his homemade pizza, hearty minestrone soup, and his delicious Italian cheesecake, rice pudding, and tiramisu'.Dante took great pride in his Italian heritage and remained deeply connected to the traditions and foods of his homeland. He was an avid follower of Juventus of the Serie A Italian soccer league, which to him was the only sport and league that mattered. Besides soccer and cooking, Dante and his beloved wife shared a love of travel and dancing, often enjoying evenings together dancing the tango, bachata, salsa, and merengue. Dante also enjoyed traveling and dancing on cruise ships with his wife and friends. In his spare time, he loved listening to opera, especially Pavarotti, polkas, and Latin dance music. He also enjoyed watching TV game shows and dance shows, especially Dancing with the Stars.He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Annina Martire, who passed away in April 2020; his parents, Pasquale and Giovanna Martire; and his siblings, Mario and Pina.He is survived by his beloved sons, Pasquale Martire and his wife, Maria, and Marco Martire and his wife, Lisa; and his cherished grandchildren, Julia, Matthew, Alessia, and Daniel.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.