A native of Chicago, Claude grew up in Astoria, Queens before meeting and falling in love with his wife Philomena “Dolly” Garcenot, née Passarella, a Staten Islander. After serving four years as a Seabee in the United States Navy, with deployments to Guam and Korea, Claude returned to New York and established his family in Staten Island. He had a daughter, Claudia Garcenot, and raised Dolly’s sister, Joanne Augello (née Passarella) like his own child after his mother-in-law’s untimely death.
Claude enjoyed a long career as an electrician, electrical engineer, and watch engineer at Schaefer Brewing Company, Pan-Am Airlines, Delta Airlines, and finally, Maimonides Medical Center, before retiring at the age of 77. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus.
Through his life, Claude was always busy with craft and construction projects, working on cars, knives, circuits, and everything in between. His home — which he wired and renovated with his own hands—stands as a monument to his ingenuity and creativity. In later life, he dedicated most of his time to his family, and especially to helping raise his three grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Dolly and his daughter Claudia as well as his sister-in-law Joanne and her husband Cosmo Augello. Also surviving Claude are grandson Dennis Hogan and his wife Anna Kastner; granddaughter Kwynn Hogan; and granddaughter Lauren Goldberg (née Augello), her husband Zack, and her daughter Sophie. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather who shared his patience, kindness, and imagination with all. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Claude’s name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org).
Funeral Wednesday from Harmon Funeral Home 571 Forest Avenue West Brighton
Funeral Mass 10:00 am Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church
Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery
Visiting Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 pm
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