Umberto (Sr.) D'Urso

Umberto D’Urso Sr., age 88, passed away peacefully in his home while holding hands with his adoring wife of 65 years in Floral Park, NY on May 23, 2020.  Born on November 12, 1931 in Maranola, Italy he was the sixth of nine children to parents AngeloAntonio and Teresa D’Urso.  Married to Igina Guglielmo on February 19, 1955.  Seeking a better life for their family, they migrated to the United States in 1958.  He traveled by boat to New York after a turbulent week at sea with his toddler Angelo, following his pregnant wife who arrived six months prior.  They lived in Brooklyn until buying their first home in Richmond Hill, Queens in 1968 where they raised their three sons Angelo, Giovanni and Umberto Jr., until finally moving to Floral Park in 1993.

He lived most of his life with remnants of shrapnel in his body, the result of an accidental discharge from a leftover WWII grenade found in a field as a boy.  He worked hard to support his family as an ironworker, even with a frozen shoulder and poor eyesight.  He started his career at Particular Iron Works where he worked for numerous years until becoming a dedicated employee of Koenig Iron Works, where he worked for 23 years, retiring at the age of 62.  He traveled with his wife, and made several trips to Italy and Australia to visit family, and enjoyed outings to Atlantic City.  He enjoyed making and drinking his homemade wine, and tending to his plentiful garden which included tomato plants, Italian squash (cucuzza), blackberries, fig, persimmon and peach trees.

Known as “Nonno” and “Nonnino” to his adoring grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and playfully called “George” by his wife.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Igina; sons and daughters-in-law, AngeloAntonio & Nancy, Giovanni & Patricia, and Umberto Jr. & Karen; grandchildren, Monique, Gina, Anthony, Giovanni Jr., Corey, Jenna, Deana & Umberto III, and 7 great-grandchildren; brother Armando and sister Adelaide and numerous family members.

Family and friends will gather on a date to be determined to celebrate Umberto’s life and honor his memory.