Born on October 28, 1927 in Castrofilippo, Sicily, Italy. Carmela's life was inspirational. Guided
by her faith and virtues she reared her 9 children - 5 girls and 4 boys - Antonio, Grazia, Silvana,
Giuseppe, Letizia, Luigi, Ulisse Salvatore, Eleonora, and Elvira. She was a pioneer of her time,
a working mother who lived for her family, supporting her husband in their local business.
She was known for her kindness to her friends, relatives, and all who knew her. She created
celebrations - everyday and any day - as a means of uniting her family and instilling in her
children the Catholic virtues that she lived.
Making sacrifices for the good of the family, she immigrated to the US with her family in 1974,
settling in Brooklyn. A vacation to her was spending time with her family, enjoying life
events. Her hobby was her family. Through the years, she was overjoyed in watching her family
grow, especially in spending time with her 9 grandchildren - Edoardo, Salvatore, Salvo, Marco,
Gianna, Cristian, Salvatore, Ariana, and Salmanuel.
An excellent cook and baker, making the best risotto milanese in Castrofilippo, although not a
Sicilian dish. Carmela delighted her husband with his favorite dishes- pasta con sarde and
arancini.
The daily 6:30 dinners with all eleven at the table was the highlight of the day, with the family
swapping current events and old stories and enjoying each other’s company, till 9:00.
She kept the tradition of holidays joined at her home by family and friends, making home cooked
dishes and baked goods, based on the recipes passed down from generations before.
In her later years, Carmela took joy in watching her daughters and daughter in laws carry out
traditions in their own way, improving upon such recipes, blending the old and new in an eclectic
way.
In 1997, Carmela with her loving husband Salvatore celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary,
and are now both safely home, together again, celebrating in heaven.
We will honor Carmela's (a.k.a. Melina) life this Monday 7/27 and Tuesday 7/28 from 2-5 and 7-
9 at Torregrossa Funeral Home 1305 79th Street, Brooklyn, 718-232-8844.
Mass will be held at Regina Pacis R. C. Church 1230 65th Street Brooklyn, NY 11219 on the
morning of Wednesday 7/29, followed by her interment at Greenwood Cemetery.

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