Raffaele Marotta

Schenectady- Raffaele Marotta, 89, of Schenectady passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2018 surrounded by his beloved family. He was born in Squille Provincia Caserta Italy in 1928, a son of the late Antonio and Maria DeMarco Marotta. Raffaele was employed in the construction industry with Beltrone Construction of Latham NY. He was a member of the local Laborer Union #190 and having served in the Italian military; a member of the Assoc. Ex Combattenti Italiana. He was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church. He had a passion for his garden, always sharing the fruits of his labor with others and was quick to lend a helping hand to family and friends. He enjoyed playing checkers and cards and loved a competitive game of Bocce. Everyone who had the pleasure of participating in these games knew that Raffaele didn’t like to lose. He was a big jokester, always teasing his grandchildren. The kids looked forward to Sunday lunches at their grandparent’s house where he would often surprise them with baby bunnies that he raised. Raffaele is lovingly remembered as a devoted husband, father, Godfather and grandfather/nonno. He was a man of few words, strong and courageous. He was loved and respected by all that were fortunate enough to have personally known him and felt the warmth of being in his home. There was always homemade bread, wine and cheese for everyone to enjoy. If you happened to visit at 8:00 pm, you would join him on the couch and watch his favorite television program…..WWE (wrestling). Married for 58 years, Raffaele is survived by his beloved wife Selvina (Tebano) Marotta, along with their children; Maria (Albert) Jurczynski of Schenectady, Antonietta (Charles) Millie of Rotterdam, Caterina “Cathy” Gazzillo of Rotterdam and Antonio (Nadia) Marotta of Clifton Park. He also leaves behind 8 grandchildren; Jessica and Alex Jurczynski, Jaret and Ryan Millie, Luigi and Zachary Gazzillo, Valentina and Luciano Marotta; 2 brothers Guseppe (Teresa) Marotta of Italy, Fioreavante Marotta of Schenectady and one sister Genoveffa Calandra of Schenectady. He was predeceased by his parents, 1 brother and 2 sisters. Family and friends are invited to call at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home Inc 1605 Helderberg Ave Rotterdam on Monday January 15, 2018 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Funeral services will begin at 10:15 at the funeral home on Tuesday January 16, 2018. Immediately following a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church Schenectady. Entombment will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery Niskayuna NY. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society PO Box 22718 Oklahoma City OK 73123.