Carmela Acquista Bertone
- nicole38575
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14
1935 - 2025
OBITUARY
Carmela Acquista Bertone was born in Castrofilippo, Sicily, in 1935 to Calogero Acquista and Marianna (Chiarelli) Acquista. She was the oldest of seven children and a second mother to her siblings after her father passed away, working side-by-side with her mother to provide for her family.
In her late 20s, Carmela emigrated to the U.S., settling in Astoria, New York. At that time she began her long career as a seamstress and then sample maker in the garment district in New York City that spanned 34 years.
In 1985, Carmela married Anthony Bertone and they lived in Brooklyn for 12 years until his death.
Carmela wore many hats as a wife, sister and friend but one of her most important was as an aunt, also known as Parina. She helped raise all of her sister Dina's children and all of their children.
Parina embodied selflessness, always lending a helping hand to her family by making dinner (her famous rice) and dessert (her spectacular sponge cake). She was truly generous and her house was filled with family photos that included her many trips to Disney, Turks and Caicos, Aruba, Key West and California.
She was a devoted catholic and during the last year of her life you could always find her relaxing in her recliner with her rosary.
Parina was a gifted and talented dressmaker and created countless outfits with exceptional care and detail for her nieces (even a wedding dress!) and nephews and her great-nieces and great-nephews. Her craftsmanship didn’t end there. She made curtains, draperies, seat cushions and pillow covers. Her handiwork lives on in the homes of her loved ones. She would always make herself available, whether it was for helping repainting a room or to help with the kids.
One of her great-nieces' favorite memories of Parina was when she taught them how to make "cubaita," where her measurements consisted of "a little bit of this" and a "little bit of that."
Parina was one of a kind, a woman devoted to her family and living the most of the 89 years she lived. She spent her last days with the person closest to her, her sister Dina, who held her hand until the end.
VISITATION
Friday, July 11 3:00 - 9:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL MASS
Saturday, July 12 9:30 AM Notre Dame R.C. Church 5 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, NY
ENTOMBMENT
St. John Cemetery 80-01 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY