Our Ancestors

The Cardilla family came to the U.S. from Campania Italy in 1882 and settled in Asbury Park, New Jersey. There they purchased homes,
started local business' and supported their communities both financially and politically while raising large families.

Peter Michael Cardilla    1858 - 1939

Peter was born on Oct. 31, 1858, in Campania, Italy. He and his wife Rosa lived in Asbury Park, New Jersey where he owned and operated a grocery store for many years. Peter, known as the "West Side Italian" was a high profile leader in the city and was a main contributor to building the first catholic Church in Asbury. Peter died on October 21, 1939 at the age of 80 years. He was buried with his family in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Neptune City, New Jersey.

Rosa Morante    1864 - 1943

Rosa was born in October 1864 in Napoli, Campania, Italy. She married Peter Michael Cardilla, affectionately known as the "West Side Italian," in 1887 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Together they raised 14 children. Rosa helped run the grocery store when not attending to their large family. She died on April 21, 1943, in Asbury, at the age of 78. Rosa was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Neptune City, New Jersey along side her husband Peter and late children.

Michael George Cardilla    1905 - 1988

Michael George Cardilla was born on May 23, 1905 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. His father Peter was 46 years old and his mother Rosa was 40. Michael had two sons with Louise M. Annechiarico between 1929 and 1931. Mike worked for the city of Asbury Park most of his life while raising two children as a single father. He died on Oct. 24, 1988 at the age of 83 and was buried in Saint Catharine's Cemetery in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Louise Marie Annecharico    1911 - 1965

Louise M. Annechiarico was born on November 7, 1911 in Neptune City, New Jersey. Her father Luigi was born in Italy and her mother in New York. She married Mike Cardilla on August 29, 1929. Two years later she deserted her family for another man, leaving Mike and their two little babies, two year old Peter and eight month old Michael behind. One year later the courts granted Mike a divorce citing extreme cruelty. She died on April 19, 1965, in Miami Beach, Florida.

Peter Joseph Cardilla    1929 - 2016

Peter Joseph Cardilla was born on August 12, 1929, in Asbury Park to Michael Cardilla and Louise Annechiarico. He married Mary Ellen Joseph in 1952 before being drafted into the military. They spent two years in Japan while Peter served his country. After arriving back to the states, he and Mary raised a family in Ocean Township, New Jersey. Peter died on March 12, 2016 at the age of 86. He was buried in Saint Catharine's Cemetery in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Mary Ellen Joseph    1932 - 2008

When Mary Ellen Joseph was born on November 21, 1932 in Neptune, New Jersey. Her father Eugene Garrity was 44 and her mother Lavina Belle Applegate was 33. She was adopted by her step-father John Joseph and took the name Joseph. In 1952 she married Peter and moved to Ocean N.J. and raised a large family. Mary died on April 18, 2008 in Howell, New Jersey at the age of 75 and was buried in Saint Catharine's Cemetery in Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Connected Family Names

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  Morro Castle Shipwreck on the shore of Asbury Park, New Jersey Sept. 8th 1934.

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  Original Live Footage
  Hindenburg Disaster in Lakehurst, New Jersey on May 6th, 1937

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The Cardilla Name in History.

From Naples, Campania, Italy