Charles Anthony "Al" Famoso
November 15, 1926 ~ February 25, 2010
Services:
A visitation will be held on Tuesday March 2, 2010 at First Saints Community Church, St. Paul’s campus in Leonardtown, MD where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 PM with prayers being said at 7:00 PM A memorial service will follow the next day, Wednesday March 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM also at the First Saints Community Church, St. Paul's campus.
Charles “Al” Anthony Famoso, 83, of Leonardtown, MD passed away on February 25, 2010. Al was born to the late Luigi and Christine Famoso in Brooklyn, NY on Nov. 15, 1926. He served in three branches of the military, Army, Navy, and retired from the Air Force. He served as a Morse Code Interceptor for the Army Security Agency during World War II in Guam and Okinawa. He worked as an electrical engineer for the Dept. of the Navy, retiring in 1983. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends and Scrabble with his family. He was an excellent pool player, winning many awards. He especially loved to embody the spirit of Santa, visiting schools and various community events. His authentic portrayal of the Jolly Old Elf entertained many family, friends and children of all ages for decades. He began “Santa on the Square” in Leonardtown by showing up in his specially made red suit and talking with children. Later, the mayor added a Mrs. Claus, and the event became a yearly tradition. His favorite activity was fishing. He believed he was allowed to live so long so that he could fish every spot available in St. Mary’s County. He was preceded in death by Teresa Cotter Famoso, the mother of his eleven children, 2 children who died at birth (John and Mary Ann), 2 sisters, 5 brothers and his step-son, Stephen “Te” Gordon. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mona Stephens Famoso; his children, Douglas (Tammy), Cathy Nelson (John), Teresa Saunders (Barry), Stephen (Karen), Cynthia, Charles Jr. (Stella), Jeannette (Lisa), Joeleen, Angelia Demers (Dave); and his step-children, Phil Gordon (Sheila), (Nancy Gordon), Marcia Lent (Leonard), Gwen Rodriguez (Tony). He is also survived by one brother, Alfonse Famoso of Westminster, MD; 30 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday March 2, where the family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. with prayers at 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday March 3. Both services will be held at First Saints Community Church, St. Paul’s campus in Leonardtown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Saints Community Church’s Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, P.O. Box 95, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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“Cindy and all, my sincerest condolences. I’m keeping all in my thoughts and prayers. Larry DT”
“We were saddened to hear of Uncle Charlie’s passing. A wonderful man who will be missed.”
“Thoughts and Prayers are with the family. Remember to not grieve his death so much as celebrate his life.”
“This is Charles big Brother and wife .”
“So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. “
“The condolences of Sam and Palma Famoso of New York and their children Christina, John and Stephen are offered. We are sorry for your loss.”
“My heartfelt condolences to the Famoso family and friends. “
“Best wishes to the families during this sad time. We are so sorry for your loss. “
“Dear Mona and family, We loved Als big friendly smile. And we will miss our White Point Santa Claus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. As we all know he was a devoted family man and fishermen.”
” My sincere sympathy. “
“To Al’s family~ The staff and Al’s friends from Loffler Senior Activity Center extend our sincere sympathy. Al never missed a chance for 8 AM Cribbage and Pinochle, and could tell some fishing stories! He will be missed at the center, and we hope our caring thoughts will bring some comfort to the family.”
“With my deepest sympathies.”
“My sincere condolences to your family at this sad time, I am so sorry for your loss.”
“White Point Beach won’t be quite the same this summer. My condolences to the entire Famoso family. Al Famoso was a man who lived life to the fullest and had a smile for all of us who made it over to the Sugar Shack over the years. “
“Uncle Al was a great influence in my life; He was a man of tradition, He loved his family, He served his country, He worked hard all his life to provide for his family..and friends, and continued to keep his family close…And he loved fishing! Louis B Famoso and family. “
“God Bless this great family. Remember the great times Al shared with his family and friends. The family reunions, boating and fishing made for years of memories.”
“To Mona & my Famoso cousins: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of my “Uncle Al”. You all have my very deepest sympathy. What a wonderful man he was. So many accomplishments. We were so blessed to have had him for all these decades. He was so fortunate to have such a loving, devoted family. And the BEST is that he was able to live his life out at home… his Sugar Shack. And he really did live his life to the fullest, doing what he loved most… (fishing) and doing for others(Santa Claus). He will be missed. Love, Lanie”
“Our sincerest sympathy especially to Cindy, Stephanie, Mark, Stella, Mona and all the family. He was such a warm hearted person and a great guy! We know he will be greatly missed by so many because he touched so many lives including ours. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. “
“Cindy and family, thinking of you all during these tough times.”
“PRACTICE OF FIRING THREE RIFLE VOLLEYS OVER THE GRAVE This practice originated in the old custom of halting the fighting to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once each army had cleared its dead, it would fire three volleys to indicate that the dead had been cared for and that they were ready to go back to the fight. The fact that the firing party consists of seven riflemen, firing three volleys of seven rounds each, does not constitute a 21-gun salute. This leaves the family with a memory they can cherish forever. In addition, you will have presented your brother veteran the dignified ceremony HE has EARNED because of his faithful and honorable service to AMERICA. “
“Mona, Al was a wonderful person. We were very lucky to have known him. My kids still think he’s the real Santa Claus. I think in his heart he really was. If there is anything you need please call.”
“Cindy, keeping you and and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Just treasure the memories of your last fishing trips and the precious time spent with your Dad.”
“Cindy and family, my deepest condolences for your loss. Heaven has been blessed to receive such a precious soul. As you remember him in days to come, may his love for his family and country bring a peace and warmth to your hearts. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.”
“We send our condolences and prayers to all of you in this time of great loss. Uncle Al was a man of honor, one of the “Greatest Generation” who will never be forgotten. May your treasured memories help sustain you during this most difficult time. “
“To Mona, the Famoso and the Gordon Family, Yesterday’s Memorial Service was so beautiful. The music was just perfect and the service was planned with so much Love. I know that Mona loved him so much and I hope that she will get through this tough time. I applaud everyone for telling their heartfelt stories about their personal experiences with Al. I regret not sharing with everyone my own story. I first met Mr. Famoso 37 years ago when I lived across the street from his family in Camp Springs. His daughter Jeannette and I quickly became” bestest friends”. Soon enough I was attending dinners at the Famoso table at least once a week if not more, being transported in the Famoso carpool to and from our school St. John’s the Evangelist, and frequently attending Sunday morning mass with the Famoso family. After a few years I really do think that Al just thought I was one of his kids; He was always nice, and didn’t hesitate in telling me if I had done something that was wrong (stop playing in that Bamboo) or assigning me to a chore of raking leaves and the Saturday morning cleaning of the house. I had pushed my fair share of that heavy Hoover vacuum around that is for sure. I respected him and appreciated his help. He helped me with my elementary school science fair projects; I also remember the T.V. repair lectures and interesting conversations that we had so we could have access to the popsicles that we were “not suppose to eat” from the freezer in his work shop. He created lots of warm memories that I look back on frequently. I fondly remember the Christmas train that he would set up under the tree year after year with such pride. Mr. Famoso was able to demonstrate a sense of family dedication and core values that I have been able to carry over into my own family. I will always be grateful for that! As I grew into an Adult I could also see that he was very proud of me when I had married a fisherman. My husband and children thought he was a kind man and enjoyed his company throughout the years. I only hope that my children will be as fortunate as I was to meet a friend that has a parent of his caliber. I know Al is with his new family in heaven and I am sure that he is sitting at the ultimate fishing hole having a great time. We will miss him; RIP Al. Love, “Shelly Baby” “
“WE’RE VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.”
“Sorry for your loss. He was a great little brother.”
“He will be missed by all .”