Carmine DeRenzo

The lifelong Staten Islander was born and raised in New Brighton, and lived there until 17 years ago, when he moved to Grasmere.

A member of the International Longshoremen's Association, Mr. DeRenzo worked for 40 years as a longshoreman and crane supervisor at the former Howland Hook Terminal in Mariners Harbor.

He had a passion for baseball and his career began when he was a Curtis High School freshman. At the age of 19, he received a draft letter from the St. Louis Cardinals for a tryout as a pitcher. He also was scouted by the New York Giants, and pitched for Giants Great Carl Hubbell. Mr. DeRenzo played for the Richmond Colts in the Piedmont League, where the lefthander regularly faced Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. He also played in the semipro Giants League from 1942-1946.

One day, while on the road and staying in a hotel in Newport News, Va., he found himself playing pool with a young singer named Doris Day. He also talked baseball in the bullpen with New York Yankees manager Clyde King.

His shoulder was hurt in 1945, but he played in the minors until 1948, when he came home to marry and work on the docks, but he kept his hand in, managing the old Canal Lumber team in the Sunday leagues.

At the age of 80, Mr. DeRenzo was thrilled to be recruited as a pitching coach at Petrides High School, and volunteered his services to the school for more than five years.

He was a member of the Staten Island Baseball Oldtimers.

Mr. DeRenzo had a great attitude and loved to laugh and tell a story. He enjoyed playing the horses at OTB.

"He had 35 nieces and nephews, and was the most caring and loving uncle you could ever have. He treated us all like his own children," said his niece, Camille Ireland.

Mr. DeRenzo was a parishioner of St. Sylvesters R.C. Church, Concord.

His wife, the former Margaret Cicero, died in 2009. He also was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia DeRenzo, in 1991.

The funeral will be Friday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Sylvester's Church. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.