Rose Calcagno Obituary

Rose Calcagno, 87, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, in Mooresville, NC. 

Rose was born in Conversano, Italy (near Bari) on February 12, 1937, to the late Angelo and Isabelle Ramunni. She came to New York as a young child through Ellis Island on a steam ship (the Saturnia) right before WWII broke out. She and her family ultimately settled in Astoria Queens. She often told the story of her sister Vicky stuffing tomatoes in her mouth to keep her from crying on the the trip across the Atlantic. As an adult, she resided for 45 years in the same apartment in College Point, Queens before moving to North Carolina in 2020.

Along with her parents, Rose is preceded in death by her husband, Vincent, as well as five brothers and sisters - Victoria, Louis, Anthony, Mary, and Frank.

After her husband passed away in 1987, Rose went back to work for the New York City Department of Education as a school aide and treasurer, and continued raising her two young children. As Rose loved to cook Italian food, her homemade fetuccini, manicotti and meatballs were legendary. She often shared her homemade Italian cookies and pizzelles with friends, family and co-workers. 

Rose will be remembered for her sharp personality, caring heart, and unconditional love of her children and grandchildren. While she had a difficult life, she was steeped in faith, accepting of her trials and always said she would choose it again if ever given the choice. Rose had a way of using real life experiences and asking simple questions to help others solve what they thought were complex problems. Rose often made her family and friends laugh with what seemed an unlimited arsenal of expressions and old Italian sayings. 

Rose is survived by her son, Vincent and daughter-in-law Jeanine; her daughter, Denise, and son-in-law Marco. She is also survived by her five grandchildren - Vincent, Nina, Anthony, Portia, and Giovanni - who will all dearly miss their Nonna.

A visitation will be held at Raymer-Kepner in Huntersville, NC on Monday, August 26th from 3:00-6:30 pm. Visitation in New York will be held at Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home in Whitestone, NY on Friday, August 30th from 1:30-3:30 pm and 6:00-8:30 pm. A Catholic Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 31st at 9:30 am at St Fidelis Church in College Point, NY. Interment immediately following at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, NY.