Rocco Cambareri's Obituary
Rocco Cambareri, age 86, of East Syracuse, NY went to be with the Lord on July 27, 2020, surrounded by his loving family at his home. Rocco was born in Sant’ Eufemia D’Aspromonte, Calabria, Italy on November 27, 1933, the youngest of 11 children born to Giuseppe and Francesca Cambareri. Rocco was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers and sisters. Rocco is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 65 years, Domenica (“Mimma”) Gilona Cambareri; his sons, Dr. Joseph (Patsy) Cambareri of Manlius, Dom (Valerie) Cambareri of East Syracuse, Vincenzo Cambareri of East Syracuse, Stefano (Kathleen) Cambareri of East Syracuse, and Antonio Cambareri of San Francisco, CA. Rocco is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Dr. Rocco Matthew (Amy) Cambareri, John Peter (Hilary) Cambareri, Joseph M. Cambareri, Domenico P. Cambareri, Antonio N. Cambareri, Christopher V. Cambareri, Francesca M. Cambareri, Rocco J. Cambareri, and his 2 great grandchildren -- John Rocco Cambareri and Aria Cambareri. He is also survived by his devoted brother in law, Stefano (Santina) Gilona of East Syracuse, and sister in law, Rosina (Cosimo) Altavilla of East Syracuse, brother in law, Giovanni Gilona of East Syracuse, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout his native Italy, Central/Western New York and Maryland.
Rocco’s extraordinary life was characterized by his humility, zest for life, gregarious personality, and devotion to the well-being of his family, friends, and Catholic faith. As a youth growing up in Italy during the World War II era, Rocco began to develop his skills as a musician, becoming proficient at playing the trumpet, piccolo, and guitar. Rocco would eventually master the instrument that he was renowned for – the accordion. It was said that when they were teenagers, Rocco would musically serenade his future wife, Mimma, outside her window in his effort to win her over. Rocco eventually succeeded and they were married on March 5, 1955. After their marriage, Rocco and Mimma would make the most important decision of their lives – to immigrate to “America” and provide hope and opportunity for their future family. Rocco came to the United States in 1957, and together with Mimma proudly raised their five boys.
In his early days, Rocco worked tirelessly as a musician seven days a week to support the family. It was in 1958 that he met fellow Italian musician and singer Augusto “Augie” Collacchi. Together they performed for the next 60 years as the legendary Central New York musical Italian duo “Augie and Rocco.” “Augie and Rocco” would play together throughout New York State, performing classic Italian songs, American big band tunes and contemporary hits. Whether it was nightly/weekly performances at restaurants like Rocky’s Grill, Dante, The Villa, La Fontanella, Lorenzos, Sam’s Lakeside, Tino’s Restaurant or the Highland Grill; or special events like weddings, birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries, Italian Festivals or the annual Our Lady of Pompei Church Election Day luncheon, “Augie and Rocco” performed thousands of times for many generations of “Tarantella” dancing family, friends and fans. Their music will live on with two self-released compilations of classic Italian songs: “Italica” on cassette tape, and “Italian Melodies” on CD. These recordings have captured for all time the magic of Rocco’s accordion playing and Augie’s beautiful voice.
In addition to being an accomplished musician, Rocco became a licensed Master Barber in 1963. He opened his own successful barber shop in East Syracuse in 1965. After further becoming trained and certified as a Cosmetologist in 1973, Rocco’s barber shop expanded and was renamed as “Rocco’s Unisex Salon.” After nearly 55 years as a master barber and cosmetologist, Rocco retired in 2014.
Rocco will forever be cherished as a dedicated husband, father (“Papa”), grandfather (“Nonno”) & great grandfather (“Bisnonno”). He encouraged his children and grandchildren’s interests and pursuits in academics, business, athletics and, of course, music and performing arts. Rocco taught his five boys the importance of working hard and selflessly taking care of family and friends. After working an exhausting day at the hair salon, and then playing accordion all evening at a show on Saturday nights, Rocco would get up early Sunday mornings and help his boys deliver those big Sunday newspapers by loading them in his car and driving them on their paper route.
Rocco was fond of taking his family on special trips, including visits to Italy to visit with relatives, trips to amusement parks and the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also especially enjoyed the many extended family picnics and holiday parties where the highlights of the day were eating great Italian food, watching Rocco play Italian music on his accordion, and having spirited debates with his brothers in law, Stefano and Cosimo about current events and memories of their native Italy. Rocco enjoyed taking Catholic faith-based bus trips with Mimma and their friends Paulo and Anna Saltarello. Rocco and Paulo also played Italian songs as a musical duo at events in Auburn and Rochester. Rocco also enjoyed bowling, a good Italian card game of Briscola, and a glass of Ruffino Chianti.
Rocco was especially proud of the personal, professional, and community accomplishments and talents of his children, grandchildren, and their families in the areas of law, medicine, education, business, music, entertainment management, and performance. Rocco was a faithful communicant of St. Matthews Church in East Syracuse, NY.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no calling hours. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at St. Matthew’s Church, 229 West Yates Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057 on Friday, July 31, 2020, at 11:00 AM. Rocco will be laid to rest with immediate family only at Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements entrusted to THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carrier Park Field of Dreams by visiting the website at: carrierpark.org/donate/ or mailing the donation to: “Friends of Dewitt Parks & Recreation, Inc.”, Carrier Park c/o Town of Dewitt Supervisor, 5400 Butternut Drive, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
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