Aug. 8, 1929 – July 4, 2014
Rose Corigliano of Amherst, the daughter of Italian immigrants, whose first name was the inspiration for one of the most well-known family businesses in Western New York, died Friday in her home. She was 84.
The former Rose Galletta was born in Buffalo and attended schools in the Amherst Central School District, where she majored in general business. Her parents had a produce business named Scandorra & Galletta in the Clinton Bailey Market, but it was in another East Side store where her life would change.
She took her mother to shop weekly in the Hazelwood Market, where she met James A. Corigliano. After seeing her in the grocery store for a few months, he claimed to have said to a friend, “I’m going to marry that woman some day.” He was right; the couple were married in 1954.
Mr. Corigliano subsequently founded a company called Rosina Food Products, choosing a name that means “Rose” in Italian.
“Smart man, right?” their son, Russell, said.
While her husband grew the business, Mrs. Corigliano stayed home to raise five children until they were out of high school. She worked at Rosina for a short while, then went to work at the Montefiore Club, a private Jewish men’s association on Delaware Avenue. After its closure, she became a manager at the Maternity Warehouse store in Amherst.
She was a devoted Catholic who attended Mass daily. After retirement, when she wasn’t spending time with her 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, she volunteered at St. Christopher Church in the Town of Tonawanda.
“Rose should be remembered as a kind, caring, non-materialistic person who loved to help others at any cost,” her son said. “She was remarkably talented in sewing, decorating, cooking and always up on current events. She loved all music and was a true household executive. She would try anything good, at least once.”
In addition to her son, she is survived two daughters, Dr. Maria Corigliano and Theresa Matyjasik; two other sons, James and Frank; and a sister, Mary Ludovico.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Town of Tonawanda, following prayers at 8:45 a.m. in the Tonawanda Chapel of Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive.
Rose Corigliano of Amherst, the daughter of Italian immigrants, whose first name was the inspiration for one of the most well-known family businesses in Western New York, died Friday in her home. She was 84.
The former Rose Galletta was born in Buffalo and attended schools in the Amherst Central School District, where she majored in general business. Her parents had a produce business named Scandorra & Galletta in the Clinton Bailey Market, but it was in another East Side store where her life would change.
She took her mother to shop weekly in the Hazelwood Market, where she met James A. Corigliano. After seeing her in the grocery store for a few months, he claimed to have said to a friend, “I’m going to marry that woman some day.” He was right; the couple were married in 1954.
Mr. Corigliano subsequently founded a company called Rosina Food Products, choosing a name that means “Rose” in Italian.
“Smart man, right?” their son, Russell, said.
While her husband grew the business, Mrs. Corigliano stayed home to raise five children until they were out of high school. She worked at Rosina for a short while, then went to work at the Montefiore Club, a private Jewish men’s association on Delaware Avenue. After its closure, she became a manager at the Maternity Warehouse store in Amherst.
She was a devoted Catholic who attended Mass daily. After retirement, when she wasn’t spending time with her 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, she volunteered at St. Christopher Church in the Town of Tonawanda.
“Rose should be remembered as a kind, caring, non-materialistic person who loved to help others at any cost,” her son said. “She was remarkably talented in sewing, decorating, cooking and always up on current events. She loved all music and was a true household executive. She would try anything good, at least once.”
In addition to her son, she is survived two daughters, Dr. Maria Corigliano and Theresa Matyjasik; two other sons, James and Frank; and a sister, Mary Ludovico.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2660 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Town of Tonawanda, following prayers at 8:45 a.m. in the Tonawanda Chapel of Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive.