Gioacchino Festante, known by his family and friends as “Gino”, age 93, of Massapequa, New York, died peacefully surrounded by his family on February 2, 2022. He was born in Bolognetta, a little town near Palermo, Italy, May 1928 and was married to his beloved wife Rosa in 1956.

Gino left Bolognetta and immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City with his wife Rosa and his young family, over 50 years ago. The family settled in Brooklyn where Gino dedicated himself to raising his three children, providing love and guidance to ensure his family thrived in their new country.

He took a job as a carpenter with his younger brother Pino and retired as a maintenance worker in Brooklyn.

Throughout his life, Gino was a very caring and loving person and became a regular parishioner of the Maria Regina Church in Seaford. He was very devoted to Saint Anthony of Padova, the patron saint of his home town of Bolognetta.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Rosa, three beloved children, ten cherished grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Loving family member to numerous relatives in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Italy.

We will forever remember his love, his guidance, his smile, his kind words, his “cure all” Vaseline, and the unforgettable phrase when any family member would come over his house, “statti ca facemo nu piatto i pasta”.

Caro Papa’ da un abbraccio ai nostri cari lassu. Continue to provide us with all your love and guidance from above as you did for your whole life. We love you, and you will forever be in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Rest in Peace.