In Memory Of
Raffaele Robustiano
1934
2023
Raffaele Robustiano
March 30, 1934 — June 16, 2023
Raffaele Robustiano, 89, of Saratoga Springs, passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2023 at St. Peter's Hospital.
He was born on March 30, 1934 in Cosenza Italy to the late Luigi and Giulia Frangelli Robustiano. Raffaele met the love of his life Assuntina Morrone in 1953 when he was 19 and she was 15. They met at a vineyard picking up grapes for wine making back at their homes, a tradition they were raised with and would share together for over 65 years. After two years serving in the Italian Army they married in 1958.
Raffaele and Assuntina's two oldest daughters (Giulia and Anna) were born and raised in Cosenza Italy. Raffaele worked for over ten years in Germany to support his family only being able to come home a few times a year, while Assuntina raised Giulia and Anna. Even while they had to be apart they always worked tirelessly together for their children. Raffaele and Assuntina had a beautiful outlook on raising their children, it was never looked at as sacrifice, simply what you are supposed to do for your family. Together they always strived for the best for their family.
In 1970 the family moved to America and settled in Albany, NY where they were blessed to have two more daughters (Ellen and Lauri). Raffaele immediately started working two jobs to support his family, during the day as a laborer for Local #190 and at night for NYS. As the family grew they moved from Albany to Colonie and eventually settled in Saratoga Springs, NY.
In retirement they loved sharing long days together attending to their garden and flowers, which were always impeccable, and enjoyed homemade wine while watching their favorite RAI Italian tv station. The many RAI channels brought them back to their fond memories of Italy enjoying their favorite game and food shows, movies, the daily Catholic Mass and of course Italian soccer. Raffaele's favorite team was Inter Milan which automatically made that Assuntina's favorite team as well.
"Ralph and Sue" were proud to continue and share their Italian tradition of making homemade wine, pasta, bread and meats (soppressata and capicola to name a few), never missing a year, and always getting the best grapes and meats available. Raffaele had a saying in Italian that translated to "any meal without bread and wine on the table is no table". It was always about the blessings of family, food, wine, and futbol (soccer).
Raffaele loved to laugh, but he was at his best when he made others laugh, which he did so often, and how we cherish those moments now. And when he worked, he worked very hard, and at 89 years old it was still hard for the even the youngest in our family to keep up with him.
Such a strong patriarch, such a loving husband, such a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. To say Raffaele's seat at the table, of course at the head of the table, overseeing eating, drinking and laughing, will be missed doesn't come close to capture the extreme loss of such a beautifully soul that we were all blessed with and will dearly miss.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings Carmela Liparoti, Franco Robustiano, Riccardo Robustiano and Rita Picerno.
Raffaele is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 65 years who he adored, Assuntina Morrone Robustiano, his cherished children Giulia Gage, Anna (Ken) Dagostino, Ellen (Dave) Young, Lauri (Dave) Gagnon, loving grandchildren Ken (Christine) Dagostino, James Gage, Steven (Colleen) Dagostino, Isabella Young, Michael Gagnon, Anthony Gagnon, Sarah Young, great grandchildren Olivia, Kenny, Luciana, Madalena, Steven and Alessia Dagostino, siblings Antonio Robustiano and Alba Nevasini, along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday June 23rd from 9:30am-11am with a Mass to follow at 11am, at Christ Our Light Catholic Church, 1 Maria Drive, Loudonville, NY 12211.
Interment to follow in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.
Contributions in Raffaele's memory may be made to Christ Our Light Church.
To share a memory of Raffaele or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born on March 30, 1934 in Cosenza Italy to the late Luigi and Giulia Frangelli Robustiano. Raffaele met the love of his life Assuntina Morrone in 1953 when he was 19 and she was 15. They met at a vineyard picking up grapes for wine making back at their homes, a tradition they were raised with and would share together for over 65 years. After two years serving in the Italian Army they married in 1958.
Raffaele and Assuntina's two oldest daughters (Giulia and Anna) were born and raised in Cosenza Italy. Raffaele worked for over ten years in Germany to support his family only being able to come home a few times a year, while Assuntina raised Giulia and Anna. Even while they had to be apart they always worked tirelessly together for their children. Raffaele and Assuntina had a beautiful outlook on raising their children, it was never looked at as sacrifice, simply what you are supposed to do for your family. Together they always strived for the best for their family.
In 1970 the family moved to America and settled in Albany, NY where they were blessed to have two more daughters (Ellen and Lauri). Raffaele immediately started working two jobs to support his family, during the day as a laborer for Local #190 and at night for NYS. As the family grew they moved from Albany to Colonie and eventually settled in Saratoga Springs, NY.
In retirement they loved sharing long days together attending to their garden and flowers, which were always impeccable, and enjoyed homemade wine while watching their favorite RAI Italian tv station. The many RAI channels brought them back to their fond memories of Italy enjoying their favorite game and food shows, movies, the daily Catholic Mass and of course Italian soccer. Raffaele's favorite team was Inter Milan which automatically made that Assuntina's favorite team as well.
"Ralph and Sue" were proud to continue and share their Italian tradition of making homemade wine, pasta, bread and meats (soppressata and capicola to name a few), never missing a year, and always getting the best grapes and meats available. Raffaele had a saying in Italian that translated to "any meal without bread and wine on the table is no table". It was always about the blessings of family, food, wine, and futbol (soccer).
Raffaele loved to laugh, but he was at his best when he made others laugh, which he did so often, and how we cherish those moments now. And when he worked, he worked very hard, and at 89 years old it was still hard for the even the youngest in our family to keep up with him.
Such a strong patriarch, such a loving husband, such a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. To say Raffaele's seat at the table, of course at the head of the table, overseeing eating, drinking and laughing, will be missed doesn't come close to capture the extreme loss of such a beautifully soul that we were all blessed with and will dearly miss.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings Carmela Liparoti, Franco Robustiano, Riccardo Robustiano and Rita Picerno.
Raffaele is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 65 years who he adored, Assuntina Morrone Robustiano, his cherished children Giulia Gage, Anna (Ken) Dagostino, Ellen (Dave) Young, Lauri (Dave) Gagnon, loving grandchildren Ken (Christine) Dagostino, James Gage, Steven (Colleen) Dagostino, Isabella Young, Michael Gagnon, Anthony Gagnon, Sarah Young, great grandchildren Olivia, Kenny, Luciana, Madalena, Steven and Alessia Dagostino, siblings Antonio Robustiano and Alba Nevasini, along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Friday June 23rd from 9:30am-11am with a Mass to follow at 11am, at Christ Our Light Catholic Church, 1 Maria Drive, Loudonville, NY 12211.
Interment to follow in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.
Contributions in Raffaele's memory may be made to Christ Our Light Church.
To share a memory of Raffaele or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Raffaele Robustiano, please visit our flower store.
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