Rosario M. Maniaci

Rosario “Ross” “Poppy” Maniaci, 92, of Camillus, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday. He was a beloved husband to Barbara, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and godfather. Born in Amsterdam, NY to Angelina and Rosario Maniaci on July 26, 1932, he lived a full and productive life. Ross was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam and Hudson Valley Technical Institute in Troy. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged as a Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class. During his service, Ross had the opportunity to travel in Africa and Europe, seeing the Pope celebrate Mass in Rome. Ross was employed by the Department of Defense with duty stations in Boston, MA, Rochester, and Syracuse. After 30 years of service, he retired in 1990 as Chief of the Quality Assurance Division for the Syracuse District. 

Ross was highly active in the community while working and into his retirement years. He served as president of the Syracuse Chapter of the American Society for Quality Control, the West Genesee Athletic Booster Club and ECHO Meals on Wheels. In addition, he volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Association, WAER (Syracuse University Radio Station), as a driver for ECHO Meals on Wheels, as a Eucharistic minister at the Upstate Community Campus, as a Money Counter at St. Joseph’s Church in Camillus, and as a tutor and instructor for Literacy Volunteers of America, being selected as Literacy Volunteer’s National Volunteer of the Year. He was honored to meet Barbara Bush at the ceremony for this Literacy Volunteers award. 

Over the years, Ross coached and mentored many kids in Little League baseball, girls’ softball, boys’ soccer and bowling. He could often be found selling pizza with Barbara in the WGSHS Booster Booth. If Ross and Barbara were involved in the kids’ activities, they were as involved and enjoyed Ana’s dance recitals, high school film screenings and college family weekends. No matter what they did or wanted to do, he fully supported his children and granddaughter. Ross loved music. He and Barbara loved to see Chicago and Michael Bublé live in concert. Ana recently took “Poppy” to see Chicago this past summer, live in concert. Ross enjoyed the Syracuse Jazz Fest for many years. He was an avid golfer, playing in two leagues during golf season, and racked up three holes-in-one during his golf career. 

Ross was a die-hard NY Yankees fan and enjoyed several trips to the old and new Yankees Stadium. Maybe he can help the Yankees to win the World Series by divine intervention!

Ross moved into the Brookdale Summerfield Community in February and enjoyed bingo, Coloring Group and the Veterans’ Group. He enjoyed all the outings, especially going out to lunch! Ross was a serious aficionado of coffee and loved his weekly outings to Dunkin’, The Mixing Bowl and Nestico’s…Too! He loved his ice cream and hot dogs. 

Ross was dearly loved by his family, friends, co-workers, golf buddies and all who knew him. His absence will be deeply felt, but they will have wonderful memories.

Ross’s family would like to thank Dr. David Page and all at Family Care Medical Group, everyone at Brookdale Summerfield for welcoming Ross in February, all the nurses and doctors who took care of him at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Emergency, 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor, and those who cared for him from CenterWell.

Ross was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Barbara; parents, Rosario and Angelina; sister, Rose Tambasco; and nephew, Michael (Colleen) DiCaprio of Amsterdam. 

Surviving are his daughter, Dr. Kathleen (Dennis McGough) Maniaci of Syracuse; sons, Ross (Susan) of Portland, ME, and Matthew (John Samuelson) of Whitman, MA; cherished granddaughter, Ana Rosaria Maniaci McGough of Syracuse; sister, Mary Doris (Fred) DiCaprio of Amsterdam; and nephews, Paul (Jeanne) of Clifton Park, Ross (Shana) of Park City, UT and David DiCaprio of Amsterdam.

To celebrate Ross’s life, relatives and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 5600 West Genesee St., Camillus.

Ross will be laid to rest with Barbara in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association of CNY, 5015 Campuswood Dr., Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057, to ECHO Meals on Wheels (https://www.echomealsonwheelswest.com/) or to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208.