Obituary of Rose Giovinazzo

Rose Giovinazzo, age 90 passed away peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Born June 17, 1934 in Mount Vernon, NY to Dominick and Theresa (nee Biffaretti) Accocella, Rose is predeceased by her twin brother, Dominick Accocella and 3 half-brothers, Mario, Tony and Michael Accocella.

Rose settled in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Staten Island in 1955 where she raised her 4 children until moving to Graniteville in 1999. Rose held several jobs throughout her life beginning in the early 70's when she worked with Father Joseph DeSanto for the Archdiocese of NY at the Newman House on the campus of Notre Dame, Grymes Hill. During this period Rose also worked as a typist on dissertations and theses for Fr. DeSanto and many young graduate students. Her children recall the sound of Rose typing away in their living room all throughout the day and often well into the night.

Eventually, Rose was to become well known to many Staten Islanders as the friendly doctor's assistant to dermatologist Dr. Harriet Harris, M.D. of Castleton Corners. Soon thereafter she turned her focus to a new venture as founding partner of Superior Messenger Service on Fulton St. in lower Manhattan. Rose would go on to build a bustling messenger service before selling it in 1993.

After a hiatus of several years, Rose found herself again working with Dr. Harriet Harris, this time at University Physicians Group in West Brighton. There she continued working for almost 20 more years before retiring in 2016. Rose's compassionate care had touched so many of her coworkers and clients which then led to long-lasting friendships. She loved working at UPG and looked forward to seeing her friends and colleagues for whom she would always acknowledge any occasion with gifts as well as her making her famous homemade spinach pies & blondies (known as Sandies) for all to enjoy.

Until a few years ago Rose was active at the St. Roch's Senior Center in Port Richmond. She enjoyed spending time there with her friends every week and attending the many social events and outings.

Rose also enjoyed many hobbies over the years but none as much as painting and decorating ceramic figurines. She was well known for her Santa figures which she intricately hand crafted and painted and gave as gifts to family and friends.

Christmas was certainly Rose's favorite holiday - having always had the most beautiful tree with every inch covered with special ornaments. She loved entertaining large groups of family and friends for home cooked dinners during holidays. No matter the time or day, visitors were sure to be asked "Did you eat?" or "Are you hungry?" and they were always welcomed into her home and invited to enjoy whatever was on hand to serve.

Rose's kindness and generosity was also extended to every service or delivery person who never left her house without a generous tip and a heartfelt 'Thank You'. She was always sure to have cash at the ready; although, more recently her family had to convince her that the visiting nurses and medical teams making house calls could neither stay for dinner nor accept her generous gratuities as a show of her appreciation.

Rose loved traveling and was able to vacation throughout the United States and Europe including trips to San Francisco, Monterey, Sausalito, and Los Angeles, California; Berlin, Germany; and several parts of Italy including Venice, Rome and the Vatican. When at home Rose loved a good NY diner and she always enjoyed attending special events and celebrations.

Throughout her golden years Rose loved going to Broadway shows, movies and concerts. Her most memorable concert was seeing Frank Sinatra at Madison Square Garden for his 1974 comeback performance, "The Main Event". Rose and her 3 lucky guests had the best seats in the house - front row center - thanks to her son, Buddy, having spent an entire night outside the MSG box office in order to purchase the first tickets to go on-sale when it opened the next morning.

Rose is survived by so many loved ones including her 4 children, Buddy (Gesine Giovinazzo-Todt), Rick (Lynn Rosenberg), Bob and John (Jason Reed). She is also survived by 3 step-children, Gregg Mireau (Debbie), Scott Mireau (Laurie) and Laura Mireau. Rose will forever be missed by her 3 grandchildren, Vincent, Alyssa and Gracie. She is also lovingly known as Grandma Rose to her 7 step-grandchildren, Michelle Mireau, Regina Ramos, Gregg Mireau, Marc Mireau, Brian Mireau, RJ VanPelt, and Ryan VanPelt who will miss her deeply.

Rose's love transcends her relatives as so many over her lifetime regard her as a mother, sister, friend and confidant - no-one more than Yvonne Ruggiero-Len who was like a daughter to Rose. Also, during the last few years Rose had two amazing home health aides, Annmarie Taylor and Marsha Guru, who cared for and loved Rose as their own mother.

Please join us to celebrate Rose's life at Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314. Visitation will be on September 18 from 4:00pm to 6:30pm and again on September 19, 2024 from 9:30am to 10:15am. Immediately following visitation there will be a Funeral Prayer Service  at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at Gate of Heaven Cemetery at Noon, 5 Bradhurst Ave, Hawthorne, NY 10532. Internment will follow prayer service. Those wishing to attend please meet at the main office of the cemetery at 11:45am 

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Rose's favorite charity, Project Hospitality, at this link: https://projecthospitality.org/