Obituary of Matthew F. Razzano

Matthew Francis Razzano, age 87, of Rome, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2017 at the Abraham House in Utica, surrounded by his family. He was born in Rome, NY on December 16, 1929 to the late Matthew and Gilda Compara Razzano. He was educated in the Rome schools. He honorably served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army. On October 17, 1953, he was united in marriage to the former Clare Isom at St. Peter's Church in Rome. Matthew was called "Frankie" and "Frank" as a child by his family and close friends. Later, many of his friends would simply call him "Razz".Frank grew up on South James Street in Rome and started working at an early age picking onions on the lower South James Street "mucklands" for an onion farmer, who paid him 8-10 cents an hour. As a young man, Frank helped support his family by working at Ottaways Diner, New Systems Laundry, and at MacAllister Diner as a cook from 1945 to 1948. In January 1949, he enlisted in the US Army and was trained to be a Radio Operator and was deployed overseas to Japan. He then served in Korea in Company D 21st Infantry Regiment 24th Division and 1st Battalion HQ Company as a Radio Operator, including the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. Corporal Razzano was proud of serving his country and despite contracting malaria twice, he received the following medals and awards in the Korean War: Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal & Silver Star Attachment, Combat Infantryman's Badge 1st Award, and the United Nations Service Medal. Upon his return and honorable discharge from the army, he soon met and courted Clare while the two worked at Rome Cable. In 1957, he joined Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and worked as an insurance agent for 29 years. In addition, Frank and Clare operated Razzano's News & Variety in downtown Rome from 1980 - 1999. His work ethic was always strong even after he suffered a severe stroke in 1993. He proudly worked part-time jobs as a Walmart greeter, as a driver for Centrex Labs, and as a School Crossing Guard in Rome. He was a self-taught pianist who enjoyed playing the piano after a long day at work. He played for anyone who walked in the house, and often sang "Ain't She Sweet" to his daughters and nieces. He even played the piano at nursing homes and at a fashion show at The Beeches. He passed his love of music on to his children. He was a wonderful ice skater and spent endless hours in the winter making an ice skating rink in the back yard for his children and the kids in the neighborhood. He loved to fill in as a coach for his son's hockey team in Rome in the early 1970s. A generous man, he was known for helping his family, neighbors, and even strangers at times when they needed help and support. His character as a father and a friend was that he was a strong, reliable, and dependable man. Frank is survived by Clare, his beloved wife of 63 years; three daughters and a son-in-law, Mary Razzano of Rome, Karen Brandon and her partner Beth Feldman Brandt of Drexel Hill, PA, and Ann and Terry Stedman of Poland, NY; two sons and a daughter in law, Brian Razzano and his companion, Sonia LaMonte, of Utica, and Matthew Jr. and Lori Razzano of Holland Patent; nine grandchildren, Kellen and his wife, Laura, Glenn, Brandon and his wife, Jessica, Anthony, Ryan, James, Autumn, Kyleigh, and Dominick; and two great grandchildren, Helaina and Ava and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Strom; and a brother Louis Razzano. The family would like to thank Timothy Stedman of Munnsville, NY for being Frank's special 'buddy' , niece Holly Wheeler, of Rochester, NY, of whom he thought the world, and Mr. and Mrs. Trong Do, for being the best neighbors in the world. The family would also like to thank the exceptional and caring staff at Rome Memorial Hospital and the compassionate and kind volunteers and workers at the Abraham House. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at St. Peter's Church, with Rev. Philip A. Hearn officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St, Utica, NY 13501