Antonio Branca, “Totonno,” passed into eternal life on October 5, 2024, at the age of 95. Born in

Acri, Cosenza, Italy on July 24, 1929, to Domenico and Assunta (nee Sammarro), he lived a

humble, modest, and proud life along with his two brothers, Angelo and Francesco and his

extended family and friends.

In post-war Italy, he did what he could to help both family and country. At 18 he served in the

Italian military and although he was only to serve for 12 months, he stayed on longer to earn

money to send home to his parents and brothers. From an early age, it was evident that his

passion was music, and before the age of ten he started studying and taking music lessons.

He later bought his preferred instrument, the sousaphone, setting him on a path that would

change the course of his life. He joined a band that toured different cities and towns throughout

southern Italy, including the town of San Cosmo Albanese where he met the love of his life,

Maria Carmela Bellucci.

They married on April 26, 1964, in front of friends and family and started their life together in

Acri. They were blessed with twin boys, Cosmo and Domenico, followed by a daughter, Maria

Assunta. Together they grew into a tight knit family of 5.

In 1971, feeling that he wanted to offer his wife and children more than the small town of Acri

could provide, he ventured out to meet his brother in America. He immediately sought to find

work and did so as a machinist at the Steward Stamping Company in Yonkers and as a porter

at Yonkers Raceway/Empire City where he continued to work until 2020, only leaving because

of the pandemic.

Totonno had a brilliant mind and was an exceptional musician and writer, often penning stories

describing memories from his childhood and always signing them, “Antonio Branca.” Now these

writings and memories serve as his legacy to be passed down from generation to generation,

and most especially to his most beloved legacy, his grandson Mimmo. From the day he was

born, Mimmo brought tremendous joy to his “Papino,” and the bond that they formed was

nothing short of spectacular…from walking Mimmo daily to and from school at St. John the

Baptist, to showing up at class parties, to practicing the trumpet, and to teaching him all things

Calabrese. The two were a remarkable sight, and the look in Papino’s eyes when they were

together will live in our hearts forever.

Because of his passion for music which he hoped to pass down to his grandson and the

connection to St. John the Baptist School, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be

made to “St. John the Baptist School,” 670 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers, NY 10704. In the memo of

the check or on a separate sheet of paper, please write “In memory of Antonio Branca” and the

funds will be earmarked for improvements and enhancements to the school’s music department.