Francesco Coniglione

Francesco Coniglione, age 102, of Island Park on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Francesco was born to Casimiro and Teresa Coniglione on June 12, 1921 in Militello, Sicily. He had two sisters and two brothers. After completing primary school, Francesco began working in construction with his father. When Francesco was nineteen, he enlisted in the Italian Army. Upon returning home from his service, Francesco married Elvira Sangiorgi, and had two sons, Casimiro and Carmelo. Soon after, Francesco opened a barber shop and lived amongst his siblings in Militello.

In 1970, Francesco decided to leave Militello to find a new life in the United States, bringing his wife, Elvira, and youngest son, Carmelo. Six months later, Casimiro, the eldest son, also left Militello and joined them in downtown Manhattan. In November of that year, Francesco and his two sons opened a hair salon in Manhattan they called Miro & Melo. Four years later, the two brothers opened a second salon of the same name in Canarsie, Brooklyn. A year later, Francesco opened his own salon, Miro & Melo 2, and the family of four moved to Canarsie.

Francesco witnessed his two sons start families of their own, celebrating the births of seven grandchildren. Francesco and Elvira lived happily in Canarsie, Brooklyn where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Francesco loved his hometown, Militello, and relished traveling back to spend time with his siblings and work in his orange grove. Over the years, when Francesco and Elvira were back in the US, they would travel to Long Island nearly every Sunday to either be with his sister or his sons and their families.

In 2003 Francesco lost his beloved wife. He decided to move to Long Island to be near his sons. He lived comfortably in Island Park for 20 years, often choosing to spend time at his sons’ salon in Rockville Centre. He truly loved his children, grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, and they loved him in return. He will be missed by us all.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:45 am on Thursday, August 31st at St. Anthony's RC Church, 110 Anchor Ave, Oceanside, NY. Burial will be in Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury on Thursday, August 31st at 11:15 am.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, August 30th from 4 - 8PM at Towers Funeral Home Inc., 2681 Long Beach Rd, Oceanside, NY.