Carmelo M Maddamma

Carmelo Mario Maddamma, 92, peacefully passed away at 7:00pm on Tuesday, January 17th, 2017 at his home in Niles.

The youngest son of Angeloantonio and Maria (Campana) Maddamma, he was born May 12th, 1924 in Barrea, province of L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.

In 1943, he was called to serve for the Allied powers in the Italian army.  Before leaving to serve in the war, he asked his future wife, Maria, with a promise of marriage, to wait for his return.  Shortly after departing Italy, he was captured by German forces.  He was taken to Neuengamme concentration camp where he remained until being freed in May 1945.  Carmelo returned to Italy to find Maria waiting for him.  

Carmelo married the true love of his life, Maria D. (Scarnecchia) Maddamma on June 22nd, 1947.  Carmelo and Maria soon after started a family and had three daughters.  Carmelo was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather.  His family was his greatest pride.  

Carmelo worked hard to provide for his family.  In Italy, he worked on the dam that created Lake Barrea.  He also worked several months in the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Marcinelle, Belgium.  In April 1956, Carmelo was offered an opportunity to come to the United States.  He trained to become a class A welder and began work at Girard Machine where he remained for 31 years. In March 1962, Carmelo’s wife and daughters joined him in the United States.  He and his family settled in Niles and became active members in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.  

He was a modest man but carried himself with a great sense of pride. His daily appearance was always the same: a button-up shirt, trousers, casual dress shoes, and a walking hat.  He never forgot the traditions he learned as a boy in Italy.  In the spring and summer you could find him tending to his garden.  In the autumn, Carmelo would busy himself pressing grapes to make his wine.  During the winter, he would make homemade sausage and prosciutto.

Carmelo had a great passion for life. There was rarely a moment where you did not hear him singing, laughing, or telling jokes. He had a great fondness for music and loved to dance.  He looked forward to every holiday and loved having his family gathered together around him.  To truly have known him, one would have to sit at his kitchen table and listen to his stories for hours on end.  Carmelo was a talented storyteller, often reflecting on the simple life.  He enjoyed capturing the attention of his 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren with tales of his life’s adventures. 

Carmelo will be deeply missed by his daughters, Anna Marino of Canfield, Franca Sciarra and her husband, Danny of Mineral Ridge, Marisa Simeone and her husband, Gaetano of Niles; his grandchildren, Dr. Vincent Marino and his wife, Sarah, John Marino and his fiancée Tammy Wortman, Daniel Marino and his fiancée Brittany Glantz, Alex Sciarra, Maria Pagano and her husband Alfredo, Stefanie Simeone and her husband, Jeffrey Riedy, Carla Simeone, and Andrea Simeone; and great-grandchildren, Emalea Pagano, Daniela Pagano, Maximus Marino, Moses Marino, and Eli Anna Marino. 

Carmelo was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Maria who passed away October 30, 2011 , a brother, Rodolfo Maddamma, a grandson, Anthony Simeone, and son-in-law, Danny Marino.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Noon Saturday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Niles.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

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