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Carmelo Accordino 1932-2021

AUSTINTOWN — Carmelo Accordino, 89, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, while attending Mass.

Carmelo was born Jan. 22, 1932, the son of Salvatore and Grazia Accordino in Galbato, Giosa Maria – Sicily. He was one of nine children that survived World War II.

After the war was over, at the age of 17, he entered the Carabinieri (Italian Police). He spent eight years in service, traveling all over the Italian peninsula. He was very proud that he was stationed at Castel Gandolfo and was able to meet Pope Pius XII.

He met his first wife, Helen Marie Accordino, while on leave in Sicily in 1958, and later that year came to the United States to marry her at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles, where they made their home.

Carmen was employed by Albee Homes Construction, but with the arrival of a child in 1962, he received the opportunity to attend The Cleveland Barber School and received his barber license in 1964. He began cutting hair for Paul Olivo in the Austintown Plaza. In 1968, he met Reed Kennedy and began cutting with him at The Kennedy Barber Shop. He took over the shop in 1970, and after Mr. Kennedy’s passing, renamed the shop Carmen’s Barber Shop. In 1975, he began expanding the building, and with the help of his second wife, Angela, was successful in creating the AnCar Plaza at 5620 Mahoning Ave.

Carmen loved his family on both sides of the Atlantic. He was an avid winemaker, always had a garden, and loved family gatherings. He enjoyed his many trips back to Sicily to visit his brothers and sisters. After his first retirement in 2000, he began going to Fort Myers, Fla., where he received his Florida barber license and began cutting hair there. He was a barber for 56 years. He enjoyed his winters in Hidden Gardens, where he met his current wife, Kay Hartman. He started the bocce court there and enjoyed many afternoon games and tournnaments with all his friends.

Carmen was a lifelong member of The Knights of Columbus, belonging to Immacolata Council No. 15086. He was also a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Youngstown and St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, but his true spiritual home was Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, where he attended Mass and passed away.

Carmen is survived by his loving wife, Kay; his son, Sam; his nephews, Sal (Angela), Frank (Darlene), Nick (Monica), and their children, whom he was close with. He also leaves a stepson, David (Linda), stepaughters, Lynn (Mark) and Chris (Jason), as well as their children, and the beloved cat, Waldo; along with many cugini and amici here in the U.S. and Sicily.

Besides his parents, Salvatore and Grazia, Carmen was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Marie; second wife, Angela; sisters, Maria, Giuseppina, Antonina and Rosina; and brothers, Antonino, Giuseppe, Nicola and Angelino; and Andy Ashby, who was like a son to him.

Family and friends may pay their respects to Carmen Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rossi and Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman, where the Prayers of Incense Prayer Service will be held at 6:45 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus, Immacolata Council will recite the rosary at 7 p.m. Friends and family may also pay respects on Saturday morning, Sept. 4, 2021, from 9 until 9:50 a.m. at Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, 2759 N. Lipkey Road, North Jackson.

There will be a Divine Liturgy of Christian burial held Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at 10 a.m. at the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, with ChorBishop Anthony Spinosa as officiant.

Burial will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Austintown.

Carmen’s family wants to offer their special thanks to ChorBishop Anthony Spinosa and Fr. Henry Andre for always being there for Carmen.

In lieu of flowers, material contributions may be made in Carmen’s name to the Basilica & National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, 2759 N. Lipkey Road, North Jackson, OH 44451.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book or send condolences to Carmen’s family.

(special notice)