Irene Zarelli

A native Staten Islander, Irene graduated with honors from P.S. 44 and Port Richmond

High School. She entered the business world as a secretary in the Estate and Trust

Department of Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., later the Hanover Bank.

At the age of 5, she studied tap dancing with veteran Staten Island dance instructor Al

Fratella, later studying with the Eileen Wall Dance Studio. As a young woman, she

studied dance in New York City, where she became a member of Empire Entertainers, a

U.S.O. group that entertained at local Veterans Hospitals. She was featured in the

closing production at Ellis Island, with Ed Sullivan as Master of Ceremonies.

Choosing marriage and motherhood, she left the business world and theater lights to

become Mrs. Frank Raffone and raised three sons, Stephen, David, and Mark, in

Meiers Corners. She was active in St. Rita’s School and Church, organizing fashion

shows and Christmas fairs and volunteering.

She entered the business world again after her sons were grown, becoming secretary to

Dr. Carl Robusto, Dean of Students at St. John’s University. She later became

Administrative Assistant to Supreme Court Justice Theodore G. Barlow at Richmond

County Supreme Court.

After marrying Robert M. Zarelli, she became involved in real estate and then in retail,

owning La Carousel, a children’s boutique. She and her sons then opened the Forest

Inn, a West Brighton restaurant frequented by many from the political and business

world. She was a longtime volunteer at Staten Island Hospital and a Board Member of

Meals on Wheels.

After the passing of her husband, she moved to Spring Lake, N.J., where she opened

“The Pink Pony,” a fashion and gift shop. Missing Staten Island, she returned and

enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her beloved son, David, and daughter-in-law, Nicole, and her

cherished grandsons, David Mark, Jason Michael, and Nicholas Matthew. She was

predeceased by her sons, Stephen, who passed away in 2021, and her youngest son,

Mark Anthony, who passed away in 1991.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tunnels to Towers would be appreciated.