Gaspare Ciuffo

Gaspare Lawrence Ciuffo of San Diego, California passed away suddenly at the age of 76 on July 27, 2024. He had just celebrated his 47th wedding anniversary and daughter's 43rd birthday only weeks prior to his death. He was known as 'Greg' to business associates and friends, and called 'Gap' by family members.

Gaspare was born on September 30, 1947, in Oneida, New York. He was the youngest of three children born to Alfonso and Angelina Ciuffo. Gaspare graduated from Oneida Senior High School in 1965. He married the late Michele Guy and the union produced two sons, Alfonso and James Ciuffo.

Gaspare began his career at Ibbotson Motors in Utica, NY as the youngest regional sales manager for Mercedes-Benz. Gaspare moved to San Diego, California in 1976 to further his career in the automobile industry. Continuing his career out west, Gaspare worked as a sales and operations manager for car dealerships throughout San Diego County including Nissan, Acura, Lexus and Infiniti.

He met the love of his life, Beverly Rice in Utica, NY and they were married on June 30, 1977 in San Diego, California. They lived the majority of their married life in Rancho Bernardo, only recently relocating to San Marcos. Together Gaspare and Beverly had one daughter, Denya. As a family, they enjoyed yearly trips back to New York, Disneyland, going to the movies and rooting for the Padres, Chargers and Aztecs.

Gaspare loved family, golf and food above all else. He was especially known for his cooking prowess, specializing in Italian-American dishes which he would proudly display on social media and through text, including chicken or eggplant parmesan, pasta fazool, and kale and potato soup. He loved to barbecue and was especially proud of his barbecued turkey. He loved popcorn and would make homemade batches for all of his daughter's sleepover parties, which her friends remember fondly. Some of Gaspare's favorite San Diego Restaurants were The Godfather in Clairemont Mesa, Lienzo Charro in Poway and Fillipi's Pizza Grotto.

Gaspare was an avid golfer, who dreamed of competing on the PGA senior tour. Nicknamed "El Diablo" by his golf buddies, his devotion and precision for the game was unparalleled. He was fortunate to have played in a tournament at Pebble Beach in the early 2000's, which was one of his goals. He later taught private golf lessons around San Diego County with much success.

Gaspare was a lover of animals. He was a doting cat-dad to his late cats Boo and Stinky, and to his surviving cat-daughter Raven and his surviving cat-grandson Kermit (Kermie).

Gaspare is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons Alfonso "Al", and James "Jim" Ciuffo (Christine) of New York, and daughter Denya Ciuffo Rose (Josh) of Huntington Beach, CA. He is also survived by his mother in law, Cecile Rice, brothers in law Bob (Mary Ann) Rice and Bert (Sandy) Rice of Herkimer, NY. Gaspare had 4 grandchildren, Evamarie and Gia Ciuffo of Saratoga Springs, New York and Savannah and Max Ciuffo of Nashville, Tennessee. He was especially close to nieces Maria Lumbrazo and Trina DeMarco (Mike) and nephew/godson Dominic Lumbrazo (Kimberly) and leaves behind numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins dear to Gaspare's heart.

Gaspare was preceded in death by his parents Alfonso and Angelina Ciuffo, his beloved father-in-law Robert "Butch" Rice, and his beloved nephew Anthony Lumbrazo. Also preceding Gaspare in death was his sister Petrina Ciuffo Lumbrazo, his brother Lawrence "Larry" Ciuffo and brother-in-law Tony Lumbrazo, all who passed away in 2021.

A memorial service for Gaspare will be held at 11 AM on Saturday August 10, 2024, at North County Cremation 635 N Twin Oaks Valley Road Suite 18 San Marcos, CA 92069.

Coffee and pastries will be served following the service.

Gaspare's ashes will be interred in Oneida, NY at a later date.