Antonio Perciavalle

Antonio Perciavalle, a Melville resident since 1998, passed away at the Hospice Inn Melville on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. He was 90. He was born in Amantea, Italy to Mario Perciavalle and Sofia Perciavalle nee Posa of Amantea, Italy. Antonio is survived by his wife Maria; Children: Mario of Stormville NY, Jeffrey and wife AnneMarie, of Smithtown NY, Peter and partner César, of Philadelphia PA, and Sofia of Melville; Grandchildren: Victoria, Matthew and wife Kristin, Brittany and husband Jemal, Kristen, Gabriella, and Antonio; Great-grandchildren: Ami and Amelia; his sister Tina and husband Salvatore as well as beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Antonio apprenticed as a tailor at an early age and when there was no work in Italy’s Mezzogiorno, Calabria region in the wake of World War II, at just 16 he sailed to Venezuela for better opportunities. He joined his Father there and began work as a tailor, later opening his own shop with a partner. He was called to the United States in 1954 sponsored by his uncle. While working for Goodstein Brothers in Manhattan he met Maria Müller in 1956, where they worked next to each other. While speaking different native languages and learning English, they fell in love. Maria went back to her native Germany but soon decided to return to the United States and they married in 1958. They were married for 64 years. They raised a family and lived in Richmond Hill, NY until 1998. Antonio worked in the garment industry until the industry moved overseas, and in his last years of employment worked as a tailor for B. Altman & Co., Brooks Brothers, and Macy’s. Tony, as he was lovingly known, always had a second job doing alterations, and happily made time for family and friends who would come to him for expert alterations. He accomplished much with only a grade school education. He was dedicated, faithful, charming, spoke four languages and was always ready to say hello and chat with a new person in any one of them. He loved his garden, traveling, a good laugh, great food and his glass of wine with dinner. He sacrificed for decades, creating a better life and opportunity for his family. He was a remarkable man. Tony taught his children good morals and values, the importance of family gatherings and dinner was time for family to be together. He taught them the value of a good hard day’s work and would often tell them “save your money!” He will be greatly missed. He was a parish member of St. Benedict Joseph Labré and currently St. Elizabeth of Hungary R. C. Church Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM on Monday, February 13th at A.L. Jacobsen Funeral Home 1380 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY. A mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 14th at St. Elizabeth of Hungary R.C. Church, 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville, NY. Interment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Antonio’s memory to: Long Island Alzheimer’s Association 1025 Old Country Road, Suite 115 Westbury, NY 11590 https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4687&id=5 or Brightfocus Foundation 22512 Gateway Center Drive Clarksburg, MD 20871 https://www.brightfocus.org/donate/make-one-time-gift

Antonio Perciavalle

January 2, 1933 - February 8, 2023