Carmine Michael Criscuolo

In loving memory of Carmine Michael Criscuolo, age 100, a beloved and devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and U.S. Army veteran. He passed away on March 20, 2024, peacefully at his home in Cheshire, CT. His lovingly devoted family provided comfort, company and support at his bedside throughout his final days. Born in Brooklyn, New York on February 25, 1924 to the late Frank and Julia Criscuolo, Carmine was raised in a bustling household as one of six siblings (5 boys and 1 girl). As a young man, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in Upstate New York, in order to help support his widowed mother and siblings. Carmine bravely served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Medical Technician in Okinawa, Japan. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart for his service and dedication. Following his honorable discharge from the army on March 18, 1946, he then embarked on successful careers as a tailor and machinist. As a certified tool and die fabricator, he was responsible for producing parts for the aerospace industry. Employing the skills and knowledge acquired from the machinist trade, he accepted the challenge of business ownership with his spouse and family as proud owners of The Park Hardware Company, Inc., in Queens, New York.

He was a consummate family man and loving husband of the late Rosemary Criscuolo. At one time he held as many as 3 occupations to support his spouse and three children. Carmine was a bright, intelligent and social individual with an innate curiosity about all that life offered. He enjoyed the arts, music, and kept many long-term friendships throughout his life. Carmine garnered an excellent and sometimes incisive sense of humor. His skills and interests included playing billiards, model building, studying and participating in the capital markets, home improvement projects, attending movies, plays and live concerts, and graphic arts drawing. He was skilled in mechanical drawing that he studied in college, but also had an unusual penchant for drawing cartoons, human figures and caricatures. He most enjoyed spending time and traveling with his wife Rosemary. They shared many ocean-cruise experiences and loved to travel out west. Both he and Rosemary were most proud to have instilled in their children the importance of higher education achieving professional goals. Their lives were enriched by the success of their children, and further enhanced by their four grandchildren, Lori, Stephen, Julia and Ian. 

A man of many passions, Carmine had a deep love for music. His children fondly recall awakening on weekend mornings to him playing his guitar and a singing serenade. His musical tastes ranged from Elvis Presley to the Beatles and rock-music of the 1960’s. His son Gregory will always cherish the memory of his dad taking him to see the Beatles first movie, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, thus introducing him to their iconic sounds. In his leisure time, he enjoyed immersing himself in books, following the news and current events with network television, TIME magazine and National Geographic. He was passionate about both air and land travel to new destinations. He and his wife enriched their life by visiting their children in New York, Maryland, Washington D.C., Texas, London, England and Omaha, Nebraska. He further enhanced their lives with frequent travel to Yellowstone National Park, the Rocky Mountain National Park, Quebec, Hawaii, and other adventure destinations.
 
Carmine will be forever remembered by his loving son Gregory R Criscuolo, MD, daughter Malerie Panayotedis, son Christopher M Criscuolo, MD, living brother Joseph Criscuolo and grandchildren Gregory, Matthew, Lori, Stephen, Julia and Ian as well as a host of family and friends whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity. He was predeceased by his brothers, Jerry, Louis and Thomas and his sister, Anne. His absence is uniquely mourned by his son Gregory, with whom both Carmine and Rosemary lived for the last several decades of their life. His unique personality, sense of humor and inspirational guidance are sorely missed by all of us, his deeply grateful and loving family.
 
Funeral services to honor Carmine's memory will be held privately by his family. May his legacy of warmth, resilience, and unwavering love continue to inspire those who were touched by his presence. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is honored to care for Carmine and his family.