Alfonso Petrosino

TALLMADGE -- Alfonso Petrosino, 76, of Tallmadge, Ohio passed away on June 25, 2007 after a five year courageous battle with cancer.

He had a smile for everyone and maintained his calm strength and tenacious spirit throughout his illness.

Born in Bari, Italy, Al began his career with the Olivetti Company and traveled to Australia and New Zealand before arriving in the United States at the age of 24. He lived life with enthusiasm and was passionate about his work. He was the founding owner of North Akron Typewriter and Adding Machine. Al was a real professional in the business. He learned the trade at the young age of nine in his native Bari, Italy on the Mediterranean where he worked for Largomarsino - a firm famous for manufacturing adding machines and calculators. Al worked for Olivetti in Italy and represented this renowned manufacturer of typewriters as a repair specialist in Australia, India, New Zealand, Tasmania, Cairo, and other countries abroad before he came to the U.S. In those early days, little did this energetic young chap think he would have a business of his own and become an exclusive distributor for Largomarsino in Akron, Ohio. He enjoyed the many people he came in contact with and his clients always appreciated his expert knowledge and professionalism. He was a member for 40 years with the FOP Lodge #6, and a member of the North Hill Board of Trade. Most important was his love for his wife, Camille (of 52 years), and his family. He brought out the good in people and was a man of quiet strength, a ready smile, a gentle and generous nature, and genuine compassion. He will be remembered as a humble man of honesty and unwavering integrity.

Preceded in death by his parents, Natale and Santa Petrosino; sisters, Lucia Amoruso and Nina Zippo; and brother, Vito Petrosino; he is survived by his loving wife, Camille (Ninni); sons and daughters-in-law, Alfonso N. (Pam) Petrosino and Anthony (Patty) Petrosino; grandsons, Alfonso S. Petrosino and Adam Petrosino; godson and wife, Patrick (Sarah) DiLullo; many nieces and nephews; close friends, Dr. Edward (Norma) Zalen and Margherita Parise; longtime secretary and friend, Ann Catignani; extended family, friends, and colleagues.

We would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Connelly and Dr. Trochelman and their staff, family members, friends, Stow Community UCC members, and neighbors whose kind words, prayers, visits, and support brought hope and happiness to Al's life.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2007 at St. Anthony Church, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, with Fr. Labella and Fr. Burba officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (on the Historic Tallmadge Circle).