ROCHESTER, NY January 30, 2023, at the age of 86. He is survived by his beloved Libby, daughter Judi (Sam) Dana; son Joe (Christina) Carretta; grandchildren Elyse (Mark) Cardarelli, Patrick (Janine) Dana, Joey Carretta, Juliana Carretta; great-grandchildren Alexis Cardarelli, Marco Cardarelli, in addition to other loving family members and dear friends.
Tony’s passions included being the primary caregiver to the love of his life Libby, family, his pride in his Italian American culture, and an unending zeal for the food service industry. He served as the president of the Italian American Businessmen’s Association in Rochester from 1992-1994. Tony, his two brothers, and his father opened Carretta Beef Supply on St Paul Street back in March of 1965, and he remained active in variations of the business until retiring from Palmer Food Services in 2021 due to the pandemic. His legacy will live on in the full line of ‘Tony Carretta Signature Sausage’ products. For decades, Rochesterians have enjoyed his sausage creations produced locally with the caricature of his likeness on every box. He was also a Buffalo Bills fan and was truly hoping that this would be the year.
Tony was thoughtful, caring, and compassionate. He absolutely loved people and always enjoyed meeting individuals everywhere he went. Whether it was an industry trade show, grabbing a cup of coffee, or shopping at Wegmans, Tony would always come home having made a new friend. He also had a razor-sharp mind right to the end. He could recall details and encounters to the amazement of his acquaintances when he would recite something unique about them on their next encounter.
He would also quietly and frequently help the less fortunate. It was not uncommon for him to aid a homeless person by inviting them into a restaurant and allowing them to purchase any meal they wished on his tab, or he would purchase an extra meal to-go and gently hand it off as he continued on his way. Tony also had a deep respect for our first responders and men and women in uniform. He would thank them frequently and would also quietly pay for their meals when the opportunities would arise.
But of all the things that made Tony special, it was his old-school love of family. He lived for his children and especially his wife. The example he set in how he selflessly cared for her to the very end has served as an inspiration to all those that knew him.
A special thanks from the family goes out to all his care team. He formed strong bonds with his pharmacist, primary care physician and the specialists that treated him. Their support in his passing has been remarkable. The family would also like to acknowledge the team of doctors, nurses, and technicians of the RGH Intensive Care Unit for their professionalism, compassion, and support.
For those wishing to make donations, please direct them to the American Diabetes Association in Tony’s honor. https://diabetes.org/?form=Donate
The family will be holding a Memorial Mass and reception in Tony’s honor, with the date yet to be determined.