Obituary of Antonio Caferra

Home: Yonkers, NY Date of Death: July 3, 2010 Place of Birth: Pietraferrazzana, Italy Date of Birth: June 10, 1929 Antonio Caferra of Yonkers, New York died on July 3, 2010. Born in a small town in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Antonio left Pietraferrazzana for Naples in the early years of his adolescence to become a chef's apprentice. He worked his way from dish washer to chef, stopping in Sardenia, Bolonia, Sicily and Milan before returning to his hometown to wed to his childhood sweetheart, Bambina, in 1955. He and his family immigrated to the United States via Canada in 1967. Antonio and his family made their home in lower Westchester County and he cooked for many well known restaurants such as, La Manda's, Carafiello's, Alex and Henry's and Maestro's Catering Hall, until his retirement in 1998. For Antonio, cooking was not only an occupation, but one of the great loves of his life. Whether he was feeding 1,000 people or cooking for his family at home, Antonio's passion for cooking was extraordinary. His constant query "Che se manga?" meaning "What will we eat?" and his ability to turn a simple meal into a feast is what many will remember him for. Antonio took pride in his craft and was happiest when he was cooking for his family. Nothing brought him more joy then to see the entire family gathered at the table, especially during the Holiday season. Although Antonio called Yonkers home, his heart was always in his hometown "La Pietra," where he spent every summer until his passing. He enjoyed his life in America, but he truly loved being with his relatives in Italy. He spent his days there cooking, playing cards and reminiscing with childhood friends who lovingly dubbed him, "Il Podest" or The Chief. Antonio is survived by his wife of 55 years Bambina, sons Donato, Luciano and Aurelio and grandchildren Nicole, Andrew, Erina, Ryan and Jason. Viewing will be held will be held on July 6, 2010 at Sinatra Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at Mt. Carmel Church on July 7, 2010 with interment following at Ferncliff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to Hospice in Westchester and Putnam ( www.vnahv.org) or American Cancer Society ( www.cancer.org).