Former restauranteur
Kathryn 'Ma' Verardi, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family, on April 12, 2018, at Staten Island University Hospital North.
Born Kathryn Riccardi in Fondi, Italy, on Dec. 7, 1926, she came to America in 1931.
Kathryn grew up in West Brighton but resided in Willowbrook. She graduated from Curtis High School, where she played softball and won medals in home economics.
She worked for Garber Bros. and Staten Island Savings Bank before she and her husband, Louis Verardi, took over Russo's Restaurant, which they owned and operated from 1976 to 1987.
Kathryn was a well-known and highly respected cook. Her Italian specialties were renowned on Staten Island, especially her pasta fagioli. Kathryn, or "Ma" as she was famously known, loved cooking and helping others.
During her Russo's years, she was famous for feeding all who needed it; she fed half the neighborhood for free! This special woman also ran Lou's Deli next to St. Roch's Church in Port Richmond.
She loved going to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. She enjoyed playing the Roman Rewards and Double Bucks slot machines. She and her sister, Sandra, would sit side by side playing the Double Bucks machines at Caesar's in Atlantic City, laughing and having so many wonderful times.
Ma loved "Dancing with the Stars" (Derek was her favorite) and watching Yankees games. But most of all, she loved her family. Her family always came first.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn and Edward Gaeta; son-in-law, Thomas Spitzfaden; her three grandchildren, Michael (Amy), Thomas (Jessica), (Pete), (Rhonda), and Jennifer; and seven great-grandchildren, Alexa, Darren, Danielle, Dylan, Madison, Justin, and Ryan. She is also survived by her brother, Daniel (Evelyn); sister, Sandra; and brothers-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Kathryn was predeceased by her husband, Louis Verardi; sister, Jenny; daughter, Pamela Spitzfaden; granddaughter, Deborah Long, and brother-in-law, Robert Malta Sr.
Kathryn "Ma" Verardi was truly a treasure; all of Staten Island will miss her.
Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10310 has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Family and friends will be received on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at Saint Roch's Church in Port Richmond on Monday at 11 a.m. The entombment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, 52 Tyler Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10310
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18