My Uncle Cosmo

My cosmic uncle Cosmo Chiaradio (far right at my mother's wedding) died on Friday June 21. He was 95.5 and brother to my mother who died on June 19, 1974. Interesting that both died close to the summer solstice, the birth of winter. He had a special affection for my mother. My uncle was lucid and sharp right to the end of his life. He was an individual and a character of the first order. He stood on his own and made no bones about expressing his dislike for certain members of my family. I always respected him for that. He was also the great story teller of my family. He was engaging and curious about the world. When he told those stories that are the oral history of la familigia, I listened intently. I should have had a tape recorder, but a lot of it is within me. He had a great sense of humor and was direct, no bullshit. He let you know right away how you stood with him. I will always remember his mean fiery chicken spezzatino. He was also enterprising, building his own Motel Capri on Route #1 in the 1950's. So long pardner, you had a good run. Not chin-tann, but damned close. I'm off to Westerly, RI for his wake tomorrow and the burial on Tuesday. If my uncle's wake and funeral is half as interesting as the last family funeral, then I will have some stories to relate. Luckily, it's not a full moon this time.

In front of four of his sisters, New Years Eve 1973

Comments

[AC]

take pix

[Linda D.]

I'm very sorry to hear about your uncle.

[Never Mind]

Who are you? You can't be living in Westerly now and write about relatives the way that you do. It seems I have your mother's last name. I really hope we are NOT related. I would not want to find my name on this blog. I knew and adored Coz and Toughy. I saw Coz about a month before he passed. He had been wishing he could visit with my Dad, who oddly enough, passed four days after Coz. You see, they were cousins and friends. Oscar, also, a friend of mine. How could you? True family members do not post about relatives on blogs the way that you have done.