Sebastiano “Sam” Pirone

Sebastiano “Sam” Pirone, 78, of Princeton, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026. He was born in Pettoranello del Molise, Italy, and moved to Princeton with his parents when he was 17 years old. He graduated from Princeton High School and attended Mercer County Community College.

He was a handyman who worked on his family’s homes. He was self-employed as a contractor for Sebastiano Pirone Home Improvements and was the original owner of Molisana Italian Deli in Princeton. His first job when coming to America was at the Grotto Restaurant. He loved gardening, playing cards with friends, watching football, and wrestling, and traveling to Wildwood and on cruises. He was a lifelong member of the Italian American Sportsman Club and former treasurer for the Roma Eterna of Princeton. Sebastiano respected everyone and loved his family more than anything, especially his grandchildren by being a great Nonno.

He is predeceased by his parents Antonino and Cristina (Nini) Pirone and siblings Michele and wife Eleanor Pirone and Florindo and wife Nicolina Pirone.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Anna (Matticoli) Pirone; children Florinda and husband John Friend, Cristina Casole, and Antonino “Tony” Pirone; six grandchildren Sierra Friend, Sebastian (Maia) Friend, Christopher Casole, Nicholas Casole, Alexander Casole, and Marissa Casole; mother-in-law Maria Matticoli; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Rosina DiFlorio; Joe and Anna Matticoli; dog Leo (his daily companion); many nieces, nephews, and extended family in Italy, Canada, and Argentina; as well as many friends from all over.

Visitation was held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, May 22, 2026 at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542. Entombment was in Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick.