This blogpost is dedicated to one of the most loving men I have ever known - Sam Lanzarotta.
Pop with baby Carole
Actually, I didn't even know this man's real name until just a couple of years ago. When I was growing up, he was known to me simply as "Pop."I was not related to him in any way except for in spirit, yet I regarded him as an uncle or as a grandfather to me.
When my family lived in our first house, there was another family that moved in up the street from us named the Gedenbergs. They were from New York, and when they moved to Boulder, our families became very close.
Debbie and Harry, the parents of the family, were my Godmother and Godfather who oversaw my baptism as a child. They had 3 kids - Carol, Crissy, and Tommy. Carol is 3 years older than I, Crissy is my same age, and Tommy is about 5 years younger. My siblings and I became best friends with the kids in their family. Crissy and my sister Caitlin would play real life "Mario Brothers," running up and down the street pretending to be jumping on goombas and eating "mushrooms" to grow in size; Carol and my sister Ashley would do...I don't know, whatever little girls do, and Tommy and I would run around the neighborhood causing mischeif, with my little sister Emily, who's around Tommy's same age, tagging along.
I remember one time, Tommy and I got our hands on a whole large box of those snappers. You know the kind, they're miniature novelty fireworks, and when you throw them at the cement ground or against a hard surface, they create a little explosion with a "pop" sound. We spent some time throwing them at eachother's feet, and planting them behind car tires for people to think they had blown a flat tire when they backed out or their driveways, but after a while, we were searching for new and exciting things to do with them. That was about the time that we noticed that the people across the street from the Gedenbergs had just had a brand new garage door installed with fresh white paint. We decided it would be a good idea to dispose of the remainder of the snappers by hurling them against this new garage door. After our arsenal was exhausted, the fresh white paint had been covered by hundreds of tiny little black marks. Later that day, we were hanging out in the Gedenberg's kitchen when the lady from across the street came and rang the doorbell. Debbie went and answered, and without any explanation of what we had done, the lady started screaming at her:
"YOUR SON IS BAD! YOUR SON IS BAD!"
"I know!" replied Debbie, who then had to spend some time calming this woman down before she could explain what we had done. Let's just say throwing the snappers against that garage door turned out to be not such a good idea after all (but it was still great fun =))
Anyways, we spent a lot of time at the Gedenberg's house growing up. Harry worked as a carpenter, and whenever he would work on a project at their house, he let us help out a little bit, a great way to learn some basics about construction. He built a treehouse in their backyard where we spent a lot of time as well. I also figured out that if you hung out at their house long enough, Debbie would decide you must be hungry and "force" you to eat some of her delicious cooking. And, it was hanging out at their house where I first met Pop.
He was the kids' grandpa (Debbie's father), who lived in New York, and had come to visit. The first time I met him, he had arrived with 2 suitcases - one with his clothes, toiletries, etc., and one filled with food from New York wrapped up in tin foil. New York style pizza, hot dogs, lobster, k'nesh, and all sorts of other yummy treats came out of his "foodcase."
Pop with Emily
The Gedenbergs were (and still are) the only family from my childhood that we have kept in close contact with as we have all grown up. Perhaps because of their duties as my Godparents, Debbie and Harry were always very good to me through a lot of the difficulties I went through growing up. When my mom took off, Debbie would act as the mother I was missing whenever I saw her, always asking how I was doing and if I needed anything.
I didn't get to see Pop as often as I would have liked, but whenever I did, he treated me like his own grandson as well. Pop had an air about him that made everybody relaxed and comfortable. He was easy going, had a great sense of humor, always wore a smile, could make you laugh just by saying a few words, and he truly loved everybody around him. He was a retired Electrician, but was not your typical "uneducated" blue collar working man. Pop was very smart, and he asked how I was doing in school whenever I saw him. He was a positive male figure in my life in the years when I needed one the most.
His birthname was Salvatore (Sam) Lanzarotta, but to me his true name was Pop. Born in 1928, Pop grew up in Canarsie, New York, but spent his final years living in West Babylon, NY.
On January 1st of this year, I received news that Pop had been admitted to the hospital. The doctors had discovered a tumor on his hipbone, and in his advanced age, and somewhat weakened condition, it was too much for him. After fighting hard against his sickness for a little over a month, Pop passed away late in the evening of February 4, 2012. He was 83 years old.
He was the beloved husband of Antoinette, devoted father of Debbie and Rob, cherished grandfather of Tracy, Donny, Matteo, Carole, Crissy, and Tommy. He also loved many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends like me who regarded him as family, all by whom Pop is survived.
I received news of his passing just after I got out of church this past Sunday, and I was really shaken up over it. I was hoping for the best when I heard he was sick, but knew he was up in years and his chances were lower, yet when I found out he was actually gone I didn't know how to react, it made me feel sick. I'm just grateful that I have a few wonderful friends who I was able to talk to about it, and by the Grace of God, I continue on, looking forward to the day I will see Pop again in heaven.
Pop's wake was held this past Wednesday, February 8 at Noce Funeral Home in West Babylon, the funeral service was yesterday, February 9 at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Wyandanch, NY.
In conclusion, I would like to share some of the things people have written on Pop's facebook wall since his passing. Reading these has made me realize how many more people than myself regarded Pop as part of their second family, as the grandpa or uncle they never had. I only hope Pop knew how significant he was to so many.
"Rest in peace Uncle Sam Lanzarotta" - Camille R.R.
"He was a wonderful man, and will be remembered always as the sweet thoughtful man he was. It was our pleasure to have known him." - Norma D.
"Sam was a kind, friendly gentleman. A sweet man always with a smile on his face. He will be missed by everyone that knew him especially by me. Rest with the angels, Sam, they must have needed you." - Beverly F.
"Love you so much Pop. I'm so happy I got to see you this Christmas, definitely the best present by far. I miss you already, I'll miss your wonderful cooking and maybe Matteo and me will get married just for you ;). See you in heaven one day, Pop, you were truly a wonderful man and I'm sorry if you didn't know how much I loved you when you were down here. Don't have too much fun up there :) Love you Love!" - Bonnie R.
"Missing you, Sam Lanzarotta. You were the grandfather I never had and I love you so much. Have fun up there and I'm excited for the day that I get to see you again." - Bonnie R.
"Love you, Pop! Rest in Peace." - C-lin S.
"I know you will be watching us like the angel you were on earth. Love you always and you have made my time in Long Island fun and full of memories. Miss you, RIP." - Anna F.
"Love and miss you, keep watching over us!!!" - Francine M. S.
Pop with Seymour
Pop, Debbie, and Crissy
Pop
Rest in Peace, Pop. I'm sorry that I never told you how much I love you when I had the chance.
In loving memory of Salvatore (Sam) Lanzarotta, AKA "Pop"
July 15, 1928 - February 4, 2012
July 15, 1928 - February 4, 2012
