Obituary of Annette P. Giunco

Annette P. (Dardato) Giunco, age 92, Manalapan, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at home. Annette grew up in Long Branch with her sister Lee (Dardato) Rockhill and mother, Tessie Dardato. Annette spent a substantial portion of her childhood with George and Mary Argheri of Bradley Beach who provided loving care, as did her mother, Tessie. Annette met and married John Giunco of Belmar in 1950, enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage, and had three children, John Jr. (who was born while John was in Korea), Joan (Giunco) Cohen, and Maria (Giunco) Farrell. Annette and John started Twin Lakes Orchards to grow, package and sell apples and peaches in 1950. Annette worked with John and his brother, Richard, to package the apples and oversaw the shipping procedures. In 1968 John and Richard opened Wemrock Orchards, a county orchard store, and Annette began the bakery operation to make fresh apple and peach products, such as pies, cakes, donuts and muffins. Annette oversaw the growth of the business from start up to a successful transfer to her nieces and nephews. Annette was a guiding light for her children, John Jr. and Janet (Gibbons) Giunco, Joan and Jay Cohen, and Maria (Giunco) Farrell. Annette had six grandchildren, John III, Jill, Caroline, Peter, Connor, and her beloved granddaughter, Christine, who predeceased Annette and was always in her heart; and the latest apples of her eye, her two great grandchildren, Rose and Nina. Annette and John enjoyed travel, and they were able to visit many interesting and exotic places in the world. Annette enjoyed telling their travel stories to her children. Annette and John made special trips with each of her grandchildren, and she was a constant source of inspiration and strength to each of them. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Annette’s granddaughter, Christine Cohen, to the Young Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering at http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/ChristineMCohen. Visitation at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Freehold, New Jersey, Tuesday, August 30th from 5 pm to 7 pm.; a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 31st, at Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road in Freehold Township.