Cranford VFW Honors Joseph T. DelGrippo
The Cranford VFW Post #335 held a party on October 14, 2023, friends, family, and members gathered to officially memorialize their rental hall, naming it the “Joseph T. DelGrippo Memorial Hall” after long-time VFW member and former Post Commander Joseph T. DelGrippo.
DelGrippo, who was a 55-year resident of Cranford, was Post Commander in 1971-1972. He also was a two-time VFW District #5 Commander from 1989-91 and was a daily fixture at “The Post” as quartermaster for over 30 years until he passed away at age 88 on December 3, 2021.
A Korean War Marine Veteran, DelGrippo served in combat from 1952 until 1953. After moving his family to Cranford in 1966, he became dedicated to his community for the rest of his life. Not only was he active in the VFW, but he was also a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Cranford Baseball League and was active for many years as an usher at St. Michael’s R.C. Church. He was a regular visitor to various Veterans Administration hospitals, sitting with disabled and aging veterans who often didn’t have anyone else visit in their later years.
The hall naming event saw many speakers, friends, and comrades who spoke of the many years Mr. DelGrippo spent in service to his fellow veterans. Warm anecdotes and memories brought many a tear to the eyes of attendees.
A speaker of note, Mr. DelGrippo’s son, told the crowd about some of the personal sides of his father; some of the stories were news to even several close family members in attendance.
At the end of ceremonies, former Post Commander Colonel Drew Burns presented a plaque, to be hung over both entryways to the hall, which read “This Hall Is Dedicated In Loving Memory of JOSEPH T. DELGRIPPO (USMC – KOREA) 10/14/33 – 12/3/21 In grateful recognition of his 50 years of dedicated service to Cranford VFW Post #335.”
Mr. DelGrippo’s daughter, Anne Vaccaro, who currently handles the rental hall duties her father performed for so long, presented several donations to Post Commander Mark Schwartz.
The celebration of Mr. DelGrippo’s VFW life was held on what would have been his 90th birthday.
