Carl Dennis Tornatore

1943 - 2014

CHITTENANGO >> Carl Dennis Tornatore, 71, of Bolivar Road, formerly of 104 McPherson Ave., passed away peacefully in his wife's embrace in Oneida Healthcare Center on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014, where he had been a patient for the past five days.
He was born in Canastota on April 8, 1943, the son of the late Carmen and Theresa Sicilia Tornatore. Carl was educated in Canastota Central Schools.
At the age of 16, he went into onion farming with his grandfather Carlo Tornatore. Carl was a member of the Teamsters Local 317 for 14 years and worked for the Town of Lenox Highway Department, Santaro Trucking, and Elderlee and Tornatore Trucking. He and his father Carmen started Seven-T's Farms in 1980. Carl was the president of the Madison County Growers Association for seven years in which he helped many farmers receive several federal grants and loans. He later started Title Town Tire Co. and operated it until lung cancer forced him to retire in 2005. Carl was also affiliated with other tire companies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
He was a member of St. Agatha's Church and a lifelong resident of Canastota. Carl helped to start the Greater Lenox Ambulance Service and was a member of the Town of Lenox Conservation Advisory Council and the Town of Lenox and Village of Canastota Zoning Board of Appeals.
A true love story started on Aug. 16, 2003 in Canastota when he was united in marriage to the former Carol Reed of Camden. With his wife's help, he beat the lung cancer. He spent his remaining days enjoying family and friends but most of all, he spent time with his wife Carol, who showed him that there was more to life than just working.
Carl is survived by his loving wife of 11 years, Carol; a step-son, David Baird and his children, Dillon, Shannon and Emily of Pennsylvania. He also leaves behind his children, Theresa Tornatore, Denise Stearns and her children, Erika, Kevin, and Julia, Kelli Nelson, Kristi White and her children Nick and Tyler, Kimberly Tornatore, Dennis and Gina and their daughter Isabella, and Amanda and Brandon Strimpel their sons CJ and Talon, all of Florida.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday from St. Agatha's Church, where the funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Stephen Wirkes, pastor. There will be no calling hours. Interment will be made at the convenience of the family. Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Heart Gifts, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y. 13057. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.campbell-dean.com.
CAMPBELL-DEAN FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Canastota