Mariano "Eddie" Modesto

A Memorial Service for Eddie Modesto will be held on Friday May 10, 2024 at Our Lady of Pompei Church (Claremont & South Conkling St), from 9:30-11:00am with a mass promptly to follow. Internment is private. Parking is offered for relatives and friends in Zannino’s Funeral Home parking lot (263 South Conkling St)

Please join us in loving memory of Mariano Edward Modesto (84). Known by all as, “Eddie Modesto”, he was the loving and devoted husband of 62yrs to Margaret (Sapia) Modesto and loving supportive father of Carmelo Modesto.

Born January 12, 1939, in Baltimore, Maryland, Eddie was the loving son of Elvira & Carmelo and the youngest brother to Anthony “Tony” & wife Antonette Modesto, sister to Tina & Walter Nierwienski, Mary & Mickey Gerick, Anna & Attilio Rossi, Helen & Steve Szczepaniak, Rose & Jimmy Wilson and Cecilia & Donald Walters; as well as a loving and caring Son-in-law to Mary & Laurence Sapia and their family of Salvatore Sapia, Jennie Marie & Vince Schuman and Angelo & Jennifer Sapia.

Throughout his life, Eddie held a strong love for God, family and country. He was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Pompeii for 80 yrs until moving to New York then Florida, where as a family, we worshiped together at St Clements & St Mathew’s respectively. It was with great courage & determination; he defied the physical limitations of his illness, using his faith and commitment as motivation to continue attending Church Service.

Eddie loved his family deeply, often sharing many of his childhood family memories. As a young boy, making wine in the garage with his dad. In recent years, he and his cousin Marylou Mamana (Castronova) would reminisce fondly of time spent “helping” in their grandfather Olga’s bakery. The laughter and smiles brought about by those conversations, at a time when they were in short supply, were priceless. Throughout his life, Eddie enjoyed staying connected & spending time with his mom and dad, brother and sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews. He was blessed with many special relationships; time spent with his godchild Michael Gerick and cousin Arcangelo Piunti brought him a particular joy. He often prayed that their souls and the souls of all his family would be reunited in heaven.

In 1961 Eddie volunteered his services to our nation as a Combat Medic in the MD Army National Guard. Receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1968. Eddie loved telling stories of the people and memorable events they shared while “in the service”. He always spoke with pride and fondness of his time in the Army. It was this positive experience that helped make him so supportive of his son’s decision to serve in the Air Force. A decision that would separate them for the next 25 yrs.

Like most people from his era, Eddie had a strong work ethic. As a young man he worked various jobs until his brother-law Mickey, mentored him into the flooring installation field. A career he would become a master craftsman in with a variety flooring and wall medium until his retirement. In addition to the 5-day work week, he would often have a Saturday “side job”. When his son was old enough, this meant that his son, Carm had a Saturday “side job” too. Both would come to treasure this unique time spent together. In the twilight of Eddie’s career, he was joined by his brother-in-law Donald. Taking advantage of an already strong brotherly bond and benefiting from Don’s meticulous craftsmanship as a career machinist at Bethlehem Steel, they produced some of the most beautiful work of his career.

The true love of Eddie’s life was his wife Margaret and son Carmelo. After a happen chance meeting of “Marg” and her cousin Jerry at the White Tower burger joint, they would embark on a 64-year journey together. Married in May of 62’ and having their only child in March of 63’, they made and shared a lifetime of memories together.

As a young man Eddie loved to play sports and was a huge fan of the Orioles and Baltimore Colts. As a father he was always up for a game of catch and loved teaching his son how to throw and catch a baseball and football. Always the supportive father, he loved regularly attending his son’s sporting events. He remained fit throughout his life. Going to the gym 3 days a week with his wife and friends. He was an avid reader of a variety of genres from Westerns to NYC Detective and Historical Non-fiction to name a few.

The last year of Eddie’s life was spent with his wife and son at the family’s Florida home. Reading and enjoying lunches on the lanai, critiquing golfers as they hit shots into the pond, watching old westerns and attending the local Italian/ American club dinners and dances were some of the activities Eddie enjoyed while “on vacation” in Florida. The highlight being the steady stream of family and friends that visited with him throughout the year.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.