Obituary of Phil Carocci

Phil Carocci, 91, of Westvale and Ft. Myers, FL passed away peacefully Monday Jan. 19 at Shellpoint Hospice in Ft. Myers, FL. Phil was born May 3, 1923 in Syracuse, NY,the son of John and Angeline (Magnarelli) Carocci. He was a US Army veteran stationed in Arizona, honorably discharged due to medical reasons. Phil was in the grocery business most of his life, retiring at the age of 87 from Nojaim Bros. Phil graduated from Vocational high school where he met the love of his life, Marie Palladino. Phil was a member of the Syracuse Brigadier Drum Corp. He was a baseball player, playing semi-pro for the Syracuse Atheletics of the southern tier league. Phil was an avid golfer, making eagle on consecutive holes once, witnessed by his long time golf buddies Jim, John, and Rudy. Later on in life, Phil took up the harmonica, known by many as 'Harmonica Phil'. He would play between games of bingo he was calling at Shoeless Joe's in Ft. Myers. He also played the National Anthem on his harmonica in front of 8,000 plus fans, receiving a standing ovation, at the Pittsburgh Pirates final home spring training game in Bradenton, FL, in 2013. Phil was a family man, sending birthday cards and playing happy birthday on his harmonica for any and every one who was close to him. Phil was a big Syracuse University basketball fan, but most importantly, Phil was a huge New York Yankees fan. For many years, Phil attended spring training in Ft. Lauderdale and then Tampa when they moved their facilities. Phil made frequent trips to The Bronx and to Toronto with friends and family for Yankee games. He was lucky enough once to be on the field at the old Yankee Stadium, where he declared, I'm in heaven. He never missed a game no matter what time it was being played or where he was at the time. Phil was predeceased by his wife of forty years, Marie (Palladino) Carocci, his sisters Nellie Carocci, Mary Salvaggio, and Antoinette Saturno, his brother Ted Carocci and his son in law, Dan Mack. Survivors: his daughter, Sandy Mack; grandchildren, Jimbo (Deb) and Ryan (Marni) Mack; his great grandchildren, Danny, Becky and Allee Mack; brother and sister in law, Peter and Anne Carocci; sister, Jean Christopher; sister in law, Martha Carocci and many many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Services: 10:00 am Wednesday at Holy Family Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal and burial will be at a later date in Assumption Cemetery. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Tindall Funeral Home, 1921 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Family Church food pantry, 127 Chapel Dr., Syracuse, NY 13219.