Woman Spent Her Final Moments In Her Beloved Luncheonette

Carol "Chubby" Montello ran Chubby's Luncheonette in Hopewell Borough for 36 years. In October, the 78-year-old woman decided to spend her final 11 hours at Chubby's, and her loved ones arranged to have her hospital bed taken into the eatery.

Chubby's hasn't changed much since the 1950's, and Chubby wanted it that way. Mike Vecchiarelli said, "She was a tough little old lady but with a big heart." Joanne Farrugia, a Princeton resident, was raised by Chubby.

Farrugia stated that the "newcomers" sat in the front even if the back tables were empty - the regulars, or "old-timers," would eventually file into their respected seats in the back.

In addition, Farrugia shared "Chubby was not an early riser. The luncheonette opened at 5 a.m. but Chubby wouldn't get there until around 9 or 10 a.m." Although Montello left the door open "24-7" so that regulars could make coffee and heat their muffins on the always-warmed stove.

The eatery was open Monday through Saturday. The walls were decorated with framed Trenton Times articles, baseball cards and toys. Farrugia went on to say that Chubby epitomized Americana.

Chubby was working as a nanny to single father Tony Farrugia and raised Farrugia and her two sisters Michelle Hamilton and Lyn Farrugia. Long-time friend, customer and Hopewell Borough resident Joe Vaccarino said, "She took care of her community."

The Farrugia sisters and Vaccarino also shared of a woman named "Tiny" that did not to appear to have any money, but Chubby would feed her for free. Joanne Farrugia went on to say "And she would do that for anybody who needed it."

The luncheonette has now been passed on to the Farrugia sisters.

Photo: NJ