Carmelo Billisi

Carmelo was born on July 26, 1946 in Palermo, Sicily to Vincenzo and Rosa (DiFilippo) Billisi. He migrated to the United States in 1962 and proudly became an American citizen in 1972. In August 1970 he married his former wife, Santa Giorgia Tagliarina, in New York, NY. He moved with his family from New York to Florida in 1981, along with his younger brother Frank, to venture into a new business together – Mimi’s Ravioli. He would proudly say that he was a “Ravioli Maker” and dedicated his life’s work to the business. He later married Maria Morales Tabora in Hollywood, Florida.

Carmelo was a devoted family man. He was incredibly dedicated and believed his most important role in life was to love, protect and provide for his family. He was a man of great faith and taught his family to lead their lives with love, loyalty and passion. His loyalty to his family, especially his children, brothers and sisters, was endless. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loved. He always showed up for the important moments in life. He was proud of his family.

Carmelo identified with a lion, not only for his courage and strength to fight and survive cancer, but because he protected his family ferociously and knew when to be gentle and playful. He always sacrificed and put his family first. He loved connecting to people and sharing stories. No matter what life brought, he always found a reason to smile and be joyous. His wife would say, he was a canary. He was always singing, whistling or humming. Carmelo would say, “I’m not singing with my voice, I’m singing with my heart.”

Carmelo had many loves and passions. He loved animals so deeply. He loved his dogs so very much and there wasn’t a stray that he wouldn’t care for or nurse back to health. He cared for them as family and they loved him back with just as much affection. Carmelo also loved his garden. He had such a talent for growing herbs and tomatoes and pineapples. He loved to cook using the items in his garden. This past April Carmelo would join video calls with his children and teach them how to make signature Sicilian dishes. He had no greater joy than to spend time with his family, cooking, eating and laughing.

He gave his heart fully and considered everyone a friend. He was truly a special person, one of a kind. Anyone who knew him considered themselves blessed to have him in their lives. He was easy to love and will be missed greatly.

Carmelo is survived by his seven children; four daughters, Rosa Billisi Katz (Lawrence Katz), Josephine Billisi (Joshua Billisi), Christina Billisi Ramos (Ricardo Ramos) and Rosemary Knight (David Knight) and three sons, Vincent Billisi, Salvatore Cardaci (Alyson Cardaci) and Gervin Morales, and his beloved grandchildren, Ava, Carmelo, Coral, Julian, Jaden, Leyla, Sophia, Samantha, Daniel, Mario, Salvatore, Alba. His dedicated wife, Maria Morales Billisi, was by his side at home until his last moment.

Additionally, Carmelo leaves behind his six siblings and their spouses - his twin sister, Josephine Billisi, Rita Billisi Bentley, Rosetta Billisi Bommarito, Frank Billisi, Joseph Billisi, and Giacomo Billisi, along with many adoring nieces and nephews.

A Catholic Mass honoring his life will be celebrated on Monday, July 27th at 1:00PM at Nativity Catholic Church in Hollywood, Florida. A Rite of Committal and Interment will immediately follow the Mass at Fred Hunter Cemetery on Taft Street in Hollywood, Florida.

Nativity Catholic Church

5220 Johnson Street

Hollywood, FL 33021

Fred Hunter Cemetery

6301 Taft Street

Hollywood, FL 33024