Angelo was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. He met his future bride, the former Gilda DiRaffaele, at a family party. “Love at first sight” is how their introduction to each other began. They married in 1946, and just last month celebrated their 67th Anniversary. Angelo was a hands-on man who physically built much of their very first home in Copiague in 1953. He dug and layed the foundation of his home and built it brick by brick. It was in this home that he and Gilda raised their children.
He was a proud veteran, having served two tours with the United States Army. By occupation, he was a gifted machinist, having spent most of his career with Fairchild at Republic. Upon his retirement from Fairchild, he continued to work independently, up until his 92nd birthday. In his time of true retirement, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, sodoku, playing solitaire and reading up on holistic healing remedies. One of his favorite pastimes was recalling stories of his own and reminiscing when someone would bring up remembrances in conversations. He loved sharing a meal with family and friends. After raising five children, Angelo and Gilda enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren, going to movies together and spending quiet time at Tanner Park.
Surviving Angelo is his beloved bride, Gilda; their children – Josephine Bjertnes and his son-in-law, the late Robert; Julia Melia and his son-in-law, Michael; Salvatore Alessi and his daughter-in-law, Joanna; Connie Arthur and his son-in-law, the late Harry; and Annette Calise and her fiancé, Charles Lipenholtz. He is a cherished grandfather of Keith (Alison) Bjertnes, Brandon (Kerri) Bjertnes, Charles Alessi, William Alessi, Meaghan Alessi, Michael (Roshni) Melia, Jaime Melia, Timothy (Kristen) Melia, Benjamin (Alexis) Bonaventura, Daneil (Tracey) Calise and Jennifer Calise; and great-grandfather of Skylar Bjertnes, Kayleigh Bjertnes, Kaylee Wadsworth, Kellan Melia, Kieran Melia, Bryce Evans, Danni Evans and Jacob Calise.
Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Thursday, from 2-4:30 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. A Funeral mass will be offered on Friday morning at 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Copiague. Entombment will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale.
Remembrances may be made in Angelo’s memory to the following organizations that he was so very fond of – 1) “Meals on Wheels”, 143 Schleigel Boulevard, Amityville, N.Y. 11701; 2) EISEP Program, Suffolk County Office of the Aging, P.O. Box 6100, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788-9623; and 3) Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, P.O, Box 27106, New York N.Y. 10087-7106. Envelopes for all will be available at the funeral home.
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