Rodolfo Cilento (Rudy) of Sea Trail, Sunset Beach was born in a small town called Serramezzana, in Salerno Province of Italy on April 28^th,1927.

His grandfather, Costabile, came to New York City in 1889, at the age of 16. His father, Dominic, was born in New York City in 1902. The family moved to Italy in 1906. Dominic came back to New York City in 1920, married Teresa, his fiancée from his hometown, in 1921. Their first son, Costabile, was born in New York in 1923. They went back to Italy in the fall of 1926, where Rudy was born 6 months later.

Rudy, his sister, Louisa, and brother, Guido, came to the U.S.A. in 1950 as American citizens. Their citizenship was recognized by the American consulate in Naples. They settled in Newark, NJ.

Rudy had been a student of chemistry at Naples University; he continued his studies at Newark College of Engineering. He graduated with honors in chemical engineering in 1954. He was drafted in the U.S. Army and served for two years in Verdun, France.

While in France he went back to his hometown in Italy and married Nerina, an old friend of his sister. Nerina was an Army wife in Verdun for six months until Rudy was discharged in November 1956. They settled in New Jersey.

He worked with E.R. Squibb Co. for 37 years as a Pharmaceutical Development Engineer. He traveled to many places in the U.S., Canada, and Europe where new products were being introduced. He was very successful in his job and holds eight patents he achieved over his career. He retired in 1993.

He and Nerina had no children, attended the Lady of Peace Church in North Brunswick, NJ for over 40 years. He taught religious education for many years until they moved to North Carolina in 2002.

He and Nerina enjoyed traveling and visited many parts of this country, Europe, Asia, and South America on both tours and on their own. They had many friends with whom they traveled and enjoyed many games. He enjoyed the game of golf with the Duffers of Sea Trail and the game of bridge.

He made sure to pass on the family home in Italy and always enjoyed hearing of the next generations’ visits. He was known for his wit and eagerness to recount stories of his time growing up in Serramezzana. Rudy’s eyes would sparkle with delight as he told his historic, charming, and humorous stories. Without fail he would be rewarded with laughter and appreciation.

Rudy had two brothers, both deceased, and one sister, Louisa, who lives in Sea Trail. He is survived by five nephews, six nieces, six grandnephews, and six grandnieces all of whom had great fun together at many family get-togethers. He treated his nieces and nephews as his own and they loved, admired and cared for him deeply.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 10:00AM in the St. Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church.  Burial will follow after the service in Brunswick Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Brunswick Funeral Service Shallotte Chapel.