Angelo Colaccio, Jr.

Angelo E. Colaccio Jr. passed away at his home in Staten Island, N.Y. on Oct. 21, 2023 following complications from a stroke he suffered nearly a year earlier. He was 82. Angelo was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Angelo and Rose Colaccio. He was an only child. He is a graduate of Long Island University's Brooklyn campus where he earned a bachelor's degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). He received his New York State pharmacy license in 1967. Angelo worked in pharmacies his whole life. He began as a delivery boy for a local drug store before joining Austin Drug City in the Mill Basin section of Brooklyn. He worked there for more than 20 years before leaving to join several chain stores, including Rock Bottom, Genovese, and CVS. He continued to work at CVS on overnight shifts until he retired at 71. Aside from an encyclopedic knowledge of prescription drugs, Angelo enjoyed several hobbies. He enjoyed fishing, regaling people with stories of boat trips to catch blue fish. He talked fondly of playing handball as a boy. He collected baseball cards and comics for a time. He used to take day trips to Atlantic City and liked playing electronic poker games. He enjoyed wrestling all of his life, watching weekly shows even after becoming sick. Angelo also dabbled in gardening. He was often recognized by his trademark ''double eyeglasses,'' a custom set that connected two pairs of lenses on one frame that could be flipped up and down. This was due to his difficulty adapting to traditional progressive and bifocal lenses. Throughout Angelo's life, he was a strong supporter of animal rights and a passionate pet owner of dogs, fish, turtles, and birds. He adored cats, donating to charities and helping find homes for rescued cats in the area. He even adopted several himself. Angelo helped everyone who approached him, typically fielding questions about what medicine could cure an ailment or advising people on what questions to ask their doctor. He was dedicated to his work, almost never taking sick days. He had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed Italian food, including his favorites pastina and pasta fagioli. ''Too much garlic'' was not a phrase in his vocabulary. He often saved bits of food to give to his pets. Angelo had one son from a previous marriage, Angelo ''Butch'' Colaccio III. He tragically died in a car accident on Jan. 18, 2006. Angelo is survived by his nine cats, including a white Turkish Angora named Toby whose endless energy earned the nickname of the ''White Tornado;'' his stepson, Alexander; two granddaughters; and his loving wife, Marietta, who passionately cared for him daily in hospitals, nursing homes, and finally at home following his stroke. Family and friends may visit Angelo at the John Vincent Scalia Funeral Home on Oct. 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Address is: 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, N.Y. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Oct. 25 at the Church of the Holy Child. Address is: 4747 Amboy Road, Staten Island, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Angelo's name are appreciated to the following charities: Alley Cat Allies North Shore Animal League ��St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital

Angelo Colaccio, Jr.

October 31, 1940 - October 21, 2023