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With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce that Rosario DiFiore, our beloved patriarch---husband, father of three, brother and uncle, died on July 31, 2023, in the comfort of his home in Staten Island, NY surrounded by family. He was blessed to live 79 years, despite battling chronic health issues for years, but his death still felt sudden.
Rosario was born in Palermo, Italy on May 5, 1944 to Angelo DiFiore and Elena Anselmo. He had five siblings. He was in the army, briefly, and worked as a baker in his hometown. It was here where he met his first wife, Maddalena, who was visiting from the States. After marrying in Italy, he followed her back to Brooklyn, NY. He was 24 years old and began working in his father-in-law’s bakery. They were married for 10 years and had two daughters, Elena and Maria DiFiore.
When Maddalena died suddenly in 1975, at the age of 33, Rosario was left to raise his daughters, just 5 and 7 years old. And while life was tough, working long, overnight hours at the bakery, he endured and always provided. He assembled a small village of friends and neighbors who helped with their care while he worked, and soon he found love again, marrying Isabella Quaranta and adopted her son, Massimo. They grew a life together in Brooklyn, NY, owning several homes, before moving to Staten Island in 2020.
Rosario was a humble, hard-working man, who was devoted to his family. While these relationships were complicated at times, his love for his family was unparalleled---fierce, and unwavering. He put his eldest daughter, Elena, through college and while his other children chose different paths, he supported them through the years in countless ways, up until the very end.
He worked for many bakeries throughout Brooklyn, including the famous Alba bakery in Bensonhurst and Strauss bakery in Borough Park, where he retired. He delighted in crafting delectable treats, amazing breads, pastries and cookies, that brought joy to countless people in his community.
Not only did he bake amazing breads, pastries and cookies, which he shared with friends, family and his children’s friends and colleagues, but he shared his talent with others---teaching many colleagues along the way.
In addition to his love for his family, friends, cats, dogs and baking, he enjoyed fishing
and watching soccer—rooting for his favorite team “Milan.” He was a great bowler,
winning many trophies and was also a “foodie.” He couldn’t get enough of the “street”
food in Palermo, sharing this love with his wife and daughter Elena when they visited in
2016. It was then that he introduced Elena to his beloved nieces, nephew and their
families. It would be the last time he visited and made cherished memories there.

Rosario was also very handy around the house, always coming to the aid of his children
at the drop of a hat—fixing and unclogging pipes, assembling furniture, etc. He had a
large capacity to forgive and had a heart of pure gold---even visiting his
daughter’s neighbor in the hospital when she was at work (unbeknownst to her). His life
is a reflection of the love he gave to being a husband and father, a son, a brother, an
uncle, and friend.

He is survived by his wife, daughters and son, his nieces, Elena and Stella, his nephew
Arturo and their families, his sister and brothers, and his dear, longtime friend Frank
“Cicchio” and his wife, Lina. He is loved and missed deeply, but always and forever in
our hearts and cherished memories. We all love you and thank you for always being
there for us. I love you, Papa. I couldn’t have asked for a better father. It brings us
comfort to know you are no longer in pain and now experiencing the profound happiness
of heaven. I pray that you keep close, watch over and protect us.