Louis "Gino" Patacchiola, 80

MIDDLETOWN - Louis "Gino" Patacchiola, of Middletown, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007. He was 80.

He was born on March 29, 1927, in Roma, Italia, to the late Vittorio Patacchiola and Secondina Rossi.

Despite growing up in war-torn Italy, Gino overcame obstacles to become a self-educated and successful businessman.

In 1992, Mr. Patacchiola retired as a vice president of sales for the cruise industry.

He will be remembered as a man who loved life, laughed often and cherished family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Helen (Vetere); his son, Stephen of Scottsdale, Ariz.; daughter, Sandra Rogan of Whitestone, N.Y., and Susan Webb; son-in-law Edward of Middletown; grandchildren Melissa, Jonathan, Nicole, Nicholas, Ryan and Jessica; sister Angela Moretti and her husband, Antonio; and brother Roberto Patacchiola and his wife, Anna.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday in Old Bohemia Shrine (St. Francis Xavier) on Cemetery Road in Warwick, Md.

Family and friends may call beginning 9:30 a.m. Friday at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 North Board Street, Middletown.

Interment will be private.