Obituary of Gloria A. Roggio

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Gloria A. Roggio, 95, of Meiers Corners, a loving great-grandmother and retired cafeteria worker, died Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Staten Island University Hospital - North Campus of natural causes. Born Gloria Ambrosio on June 16, 1928 in Lower Manhattan to Saverio and Frances (née Caggiano), immigrant parents from southern Italy, she was raised on Mulberry Street in the Little Italy neighborhood of Lower Manhattan as part of a vibrant community of first generation Americans who took deep pride in their country and devoted their lives to building large, loving families. Her image was immortalized during this time in an iconic photograph of celebrations marking the Allied victory in World War II on August 14, 1945. In 1951, she married Thomas A. Roggio, a World War II veteran who went on to work as a Port Authority Police Department officer. They moved alongside her parents and four siblings, Angelo, Josephine, Mario and Anthony, to the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. In 1958, Thomas and Gloria Roggio purchased a new home in the emerging Meiers Corners neighborhood of Staten Island, the same residence she would call home for the rest of her life, perpetually surrounded by family. They had five children: Thomas, Joanne, Robert, Richard and Susan. Gloria Roggio enjoyed a close-knit relationship with her neighbors and participated in weekly bingo games. Thomas Roggio died on November 7, 1993. Gloria Roggio, a devout Roman Catholic, was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Rita’s Church, and worked for decades as a cafeteria worker and cook in Staten Island public schools. Her passion in life was always her family for whom she established the Sunday dinner tradition that still lives on to this day. She was an enthusiastic donor to various charitable causes throughout her life. She was proud of her 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Anthony, and four of her children, Thomas, Joanne, Richard and Susan. Her wake will be held on March 4, 2024 at Matthew Funeral Home in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Staten Island.