May 27, 1930 – July 7, 2023
Angela Arico, 93, entered into eternal rest on Friday, July 7, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.
Angie, also known by her family and friends as Nonna, was born on May 27, 1930 in the town of Roccarainola, a province of Naples, Italy, to Aniello and Antonietta (Sirignano) Russo. She was the third of four children. As a small child, she would perform in plays and musicals put on by the sisters of the local convent, and as a young girl, she loved to play the piano for her father. Upon graduation, she became a teacher.
After her wedding to Frank Arico in Italy on July 15, 1956, Angie arrived in America in March 1957 aboard the luxury liner Augustus to begin her new life in Brooklyn, New York.
Angie worked as a school crossing guard for the NYPD 76th Precinct in Brooklyn for many years. She braved the freezing cold and sometimes sweltering heat standing on her corner at Hicks & Kane Streets crossing the schoolchildren she had come to love and who loved her in return.
Afterwards, Angie went to work at LaBarbera Bakery on Henry Street (and eventually at locations on Court Street and Union Street as well) selling the best fresh-baked Italian bread. She became so well-known and admired that she was teased about being the unofficial mayor of Carroll Gardens, the neighborhood she called home.
After many years, Angie left Brooklyn and moved to California to be with her daughters. A combination of mild weather and a glass of wine every afternoon no doubt attributed to her long life! She especially enjoyed soaking peaches in white wine and growing pineapples in the back yard. She was an avid reader, having amassed a huge library of novels ranging from romance to murder mysteries.
Angie is preceded in death by her husband Frank, her granddaughter Briana VandenBroek, her grandson Jake Corral, her brothers Francesco Russo and Carlo Russo, and her sister Pasqualina Conte.
She is survived by her daughter Marie Cayton and her husband James; her daughter Fran Corral and her husband Manuel; her grandchildren Samantha Mills (Randy), Daniel Wood (Melissa), Frank Corral (Simren Kaur), Bianca Wood (Ben Whiting), Gabriella Corral (Nicholas Marini), Sophie Wood, Vanessa Corral, Emma Cayton, and Briana’s husband Justin VandenBroek; and great-grandchildren Lola, Tristan, Eva, Maggie, Gabe, Ripley, Penny and one on the way.
Angie touched so many lives throughout her lifetime and was loved by so many. She will be missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the family residence.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com for the Arico family.
