Rosina Ceravolo

Resided in Astoria, New York. Parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Astoria, New York.

Rosina immigrated from Gerocarne, Calabro, Italy in 1956.

Beloved wife of Nicola; married October 4, 1956, and were married for over 63 years.

Loving mother to six children and their spouses: Lisa and Frank Colarco, Joe Ceravolo, Sal and Tania Ceravolo, Maria and Cheech Pappace, Nick and Lael Ceravolo, Donna and Al Wassell.

Cherished nonna to: Elisa and her spouse Jared, Alexandria, Elizabeth, Isabella, Jonathan, Joshua, Cole, John and Lizzy.

Rosina is survived by her siblings: Rocco and sister in law Josephine Vetro, and Domenick Vetro.

Rosina is predeceased by her parents Salvatore Vetro and Maria Catania.

Entombment in St. Michael’s Cemetery, St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Astoria, New York.

Nicola and Rosina Ceravolo’s Life Story

Nicola, from Soriano, Calabro was commissioned to work as a town clerk in the neighboring town of Gerocarne in 1955. It was there that he caught his first glimpse of Rosina, and it was love at first sight. As luck would have it, Nicola was working with Rosina’s cousin, Peppino, who arranged for the two to meet. Peppino asked permission of Rosina’s father, Salvatore and her eldest brother Rocco, and both agreed. And so begins the story of their life together.

Nicola knew from the beginning that Rosina would be sailing to America with her family in 1956. Their courtship lasted only a few months; Nicola was determined to marry Rosina, so he proposed, and Rosina said yes. The wedding took place 10/4/1956 in Gerocarne, and as tradition dictated, the whole town participated—confetti and sweets for everyone after the wedding ceremony.

Before Rosina left for America, they had a wonderful honeymoon visiting every major city in Italy. Nicola stayed behind to complete his time in the military and joined Rosina in America in 1957. For the love of his life, he left behind his mother, father, his brother and 5sisters, and did so without resentment or regret. Together they would start a new life and family of their own.

Upon arrival in America, Nicola and Rosina resided in an apartment in Astoria, and a few years later with Rosina’s parents, they purchased a 2-family home in which they lived for the past 61 years. They worked together in a Dress Shop in Astoria, Rosina as a seamstress and Nicola as a presser; eventually they purchased Roselle Dress Shop which they owned and operated together for over 20 years.

In the interim, while working and running their own business, Nicola and Rosina started their family and had 6 children between 1959-1974. They were blessed through the years with sons in law and daughters in law and 9 grandchildren.

Throughout the years, Nicola and Rosina went back to Italy on several occasions. The most memorable visit was in 1970 which was the first time Nicola would see his family after 12 years, and with him were his wife Rosina, and 5 children, as the youngest was yet to be born. Nicola, Rosina and their children were greeted by Nicola’s parents, his brother and sister in law, his 5sisters, 4 brothers in law and 15 nieces and nephews, along with Nicola and Rosina’s aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!

For Nicola and Rosina their greatest joy in life was their family. Everything they did was out of love for their family, and they did everything together. They worked long hours, but made it a point to have dinner every night as a family, with Nicola doing the shopping and Rosina preparing and serving home cooked meals. On Sundays and holidays dinner included extended family members and friends, and there was always enough food and room at the table for as many showed up.

Together they lived their lives, and together they are in heaven for eternity. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Our cherished memories will have them live forever in our hearts and in our thoughts. God bless them and have them watch over and guide us, until we are rejoined.