Tobia and Rose Soriero

A boy from a southern Italian hill town, born to an immigrant Pennsylvania coal miner and to a mother of six, overcomes TB in WWII era Italy. A girl from a small New England town, born to a mother who passed through Ellis Island and to a tool and die maker father who moonlights as a local big band sax player, learns to play the piano. A young man endures a stomach churning sea crossing in search of a life that most people only dream of. A young lady, now a quintessential 1950's teenager, graduates high school and takes an office job in Connecticut's capital city. Unable to read, write or speak English, the man is taken in by family across the tri-state area and commits himself to learning a new language by sitting alone in darkened theatres watching Hollywood movies for hours on end. A visit to Connecticut leads to a chance encounter that begins a lifetime love story. They marry, start a family and build a life supported by a small business he creates from scratch. Years later, like many retirees, they relocate to Florida to escape the cold. There, they make new friends, enjoy the sunshine and cherish fishing expeditions and trips to the beach with their grandchildren. Sixty-three years pass when they each respectively slip away a little over twenty-four hours apart, neither knowing of the other's death.

Tobia "Toby" Soriero, 87 of Lakewood Ranch, FL, passed away on January 26, 2021 and his wife of 63 years, Rose P. Soriero, 84, also of Lakewood Ranch, FL, followed on January 27, 2021. Toby, born in Colliano, Italy, was the son of the late Michael and Angela (Fumo) Soriero and was predeceased by his brother, Leone and sisters, Michelina, Luisa and Pasqualina. Rose, born in Southington, CT, was the daughter of the late Joseph P. and Theresa M. (Latino) Palmieri and was predeceased by her brother, Joseph A. Palmieri.

He founded Belle Camperland in the 1960's, one of the first RV dealerships in Southern New England. Known for her traditional Italian cooking, she was a homemaker and served as a church organist at St. Thomas parish in Southington, CT.

They are survived by their two children, Michael J. Soriero and partner, Carla Cope of Lakewood Ranch, FL and Toby P. Soriero and wife Ann of Yarmouth Port, MA. They leave behind four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous relatives across Europe including Toby's sister, Lucia Soriero.

Regarding concerns of social gatherings at the present time, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in their names to Tidewell Hospice, a not-for-profit hospice that provides care for patients and families across southwest Florida.

https://tidewellfoundation.org/donate/