NORWICH – Rosario Cordaro, 78, of Gerald Street, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 at his home. His family was by his side.
Born in Gualtieri, Sicily, Italy on Feb. 18, 1928, Rosario was the son of Giuseppe and Nicolina (Arico) Cordaro. He was raised in Sicily and lived through World War II. At the age of 9, Rosario learned to be a tailor. He started a town soccer team that he captained and made the uniforms for. In his 20’s, Rosario moved to Torrenova where he met his wife, Maria Lionetto, and married on July 19, 1952. Following the birth of his second daughter, Rosario left for Venezuela in 1956 to find a better life after World War II. His family later joined him. In 1978, they moved to Norwich and Rosario and Maria opened a tailor shop on American Avenue. He retired in 2000, but was still caring for his customers until his illness forced him to stop.
He was a member of the Church of St. Bartholomew.
Rosario is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maria, of Norwich; two daughters and their husbands, Nicolina and John Mendolia of Norwich and Angela and Mark Klank of Ortonville, MI; grandchildren, Sabrina Loffredo and her husband, Dr. Michael Loffredo of Milwaukee, WI, Jonathan Mendolia of Norwich and Stephanie Mendolia, also of Norwich; three brothers, Nicolino and Antonio Cordaro, living in Sicily and Frank Cordaro and his wife, Anna, of Norwich. Several nieces and nephews also survive in the U.S. and Italy.
A Mass of Resurrection for Rosario will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Church of St. Bartholomew. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at St. Bartholomew Church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass.
Contributions in memory of Rosario may be made to Hospice of Chenango County or to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew Church.
The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.