Orazio Spadaro

At the age of 12 and shortly after WWII, Rocky immigrated to Poughkeepsie, New York along with his older brother, Ralph. Unable to speak English in his new country he was bullied in school which resulted in him fighting the bullies and earning his nickname “Rocky” after the boxer Rocky Graziano. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, taking the position of the ship’s cook because he said “Everyone wants to be friends with the cook.”

After serving his new country, Rocky became a cook at the Hudson River State Hospital for over 39 years. Upon his retirement in 1995, he held the record for the longest serving employee for the State of New York. Rocky loved to cook and was famous for his pasta sauce “gravy”, meatball and sausage and peppers. He was asked to cook for many special occasions including events at the Moose Club, where he was a member for many years. Rocky loved walks at Vanderbilt, trips to Atlantic City (especially with his younger brother/best buddy Michael) and visiting Rhode Island in the summer. Also, Rocky really enjoyed when someone visited and had a cup of coffee with him. You were not allowed to say “No” to his coffee!

Rocky is preceded in death by his father and mother Antonino and Angelina Spadaro, his son Anthony Spadaro, his sister and brother-in-law Mary Anna and Joseph Dosio and his nephew Joseph Dosio Jr.

He is survived by the love of his life for 36 years, Lila Vasquez, his daughter, Anita Spadaro and her husband George Willey; His grandson, Alex Banovic and his wife Kristen; Granddaughter Aryn Kading and her husband Patrick; his four great-grandchildren, Addison Banovic, Luke Banovic, Angelina Kading, and Grant Kading; His brothers Ralph (Lina) Spadaro and Michael (Lark) Spadaro, his nieces and nephews Marnie Spadaro, Micheal Spadaro, Joanna Carrabota, Marie Dosio Coletti,Anthony (Cheryl) Dosio, Nancie Dosio, (Ann) Marchi, Tina (Michael) Capalbo, and many great nieces and nephews, along with Lila’s children Linda (Bobby) Scevola,Lisa (John) McCormack, Patricia Fusaro Antich and Anthony Vasquez.

A graveside service will be held at a future date at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York where he will be laid to rest.

Rest in peace Pop, say hello to Tony and don’t forget to look at the mountains.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Spadaro family.