Giacomo Anthony Campanile, 77

He was an example of the America dream.
Giacomo Anthony Campanile who was known as Tony to those he helped furnish their homes, offices, business and even boats, came to the U.S. at 16 from Prata, Avellino, Italy where he was born on May 26, 1938.
Following a life where he married, raised a family, started an ongoing business and was an active member of several community group, Campanile died on July 11, with his family at his side. He was 77.
He attended seminary school in Italy, but when he came to America he lived with his family in Orange, New Jersey and learned the tailoring trade.
Drafted into the U.S. army in 1960, Campanile was stationed throughout his adopted country. In basic training he was awarded Most Outstanding Recruit. He gained the rank of master sergeant in the Hell on Wheels armored tank division.

A 54-year love affair began in 1961, when he visited relatives on Long Island and a woman named Rose. Two years later, after Campanile completed his military service the couple married. They settled in Inwood.
Campanile went to work as an upholstery apprentice in Hewlett. Then he worked for Central Showroom in Cedarhurst. He also earned a certificate in interior design from LaSalle University.
In 1976, Campanile opened his own business, Tony’s Decorating and Upholstering Inc. on Central Avenue in Woodmere, which later moved to Broadway in Hewlett, where it continues to flourish. “He designed and worked on many homes and businesses in the area, and was considered a master craftsman in his trade and a titan of ingenuity,” his son Tony Campanile said
Campanile was president of the Inwood Civic Association, organizing the Inwood Memorial Day Parade, a member of the Holy Name Society of Our Lady of Counsel Church in Inwood and the Sons of Italy, and being president of the Kiwanis Club of the Five Towns. Campanile received the KPTC Fellowship Award from North Shore University Hospital and many accolades from Kiwanis.
In addition to Rose and Tony and his wife, Renee, Campanile is survived by his children Michael and Robert, and their wives Alicia and Andrea, respectively; Roselle Dublin, and her husband, Phillip, grandchildren Samantha, Chelsea, Jessica, Michael, Rachel, Olivia, Christopher, Bianca, Enzo, Lacey and Mattie, and sister Felicia Cirelli and Maria Grossi. Also by many nieces, nephews and a large group of friends. His parents, Carmine and Giovannina, brother Pasquale and sister Lucia, mother-in-law Bianca Oliviero and brother-in-law John Oliviero predeceased him.
Funeral services were held at Donzi Funeral in East Rockaway. A Mass of Christian burial was at Our Lady of Good Counsel. He was entombed at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
The Kiwanis Club of the Five Towns has established the Giacomo Anthony Campanile Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations are payable to the Five Towns Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 429, Hewlett, NY 11557.
It will be presented to a local graduating high school senior that participates in community service and does well academically.
“Dad devoted his life to his work and his family, but always remembered to give back to the community,” Tony said. “We feel this scholarship will be a testament to his legacy.”