Carmela Racco

Carmela M. (Caruso) Racco, 87, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side on Saturday, December 7, 2019 after a brief illness.

Carmela was born August 26, 1932 to Vincent and Rosa (Speranza) Caruso in Cimina, Reggio Calabria, Italy. She came to the United States in 1948 and married John Racco on September 12, 1959. She resided in North Hill for most of her life.

Carmela was a homemaker who loved to garden, quilt, cook, and bake. She worked for a time at her family’s fireworks company, Lisbon Fireworks Display and Manufacturing Company in Lisbon, OH. Carmela would braid the wicks for fireworks and prepare food for the workers when they would go out to perform shows. To quote her niece Roseanne; “She was little but mighty and if anyone personified a firecracker, it was her.”

Carmela was happiest serving others. She was an amazing cook who relished sharing her love of good food with family and friends. She also took pleasure in remembering and recounting stories of her childhood in Italy, her pride in her roots always interwoven in these memories. Not only did she enjoy spending time with those lucky enough to know her, she also took pride in continuing to provide meals at her church to those grieving after losing loved ones. This she continued until right before her death.  She was an avid gardener, posing for many a picture by a treasured tomato or eggplant grown by her and her husband. Her door was always open to those who needed a friendly voice or a kind ear. Nothing made her day better than a houseful of hungry loved ones, eager for good conversation.

Her family will be eternally grateful for the years of compassion, and the joy of laughter in which she blessed everyone who knew and loved her.

Carmela was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John Racco; her brother Dominic Caruso, and her sister Josephine Speranza.

Carmela leaves behind her sons and daughter in laws, John and Laurie Racco, Jr. of Medina, Vincent and Roni Racco of Green; grandchildren, Alexandra Frashuer and Gage Racco. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and a very large extended family.

Visitation will be 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, December 13, 2019 at Blessed Trinity Parish, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron with Father Joe Warner officiating and Father Philip Racco. (Procession to form at the church).

Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Blessed Trinity Parish, 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron, OH 44310.

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