Carmine "Carmie" Talarico

May 8, 1925 — May 15, 2024

Carmine Talarico, age 99 years, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2024, with her children by her side. She was born on May 8, 1925, daughter of the late Salvatore and Lucia Sabatino LaFuria. Her mother passed away when she was 8 years old and, while her father worked long hours at a local foundry, she was raised by her older sister, and helped raise her younger siblings. She grew up in Little Italy, during the middle of the Depression, graduated from Strong Vincent High School, and married her high school sweetheart, Sam Talarico, just before he joined his Division and descended upon Europe at the battle of Normandy, World War II. She was part of the last of what anchor and author Tom Brokaw described as the Greatest Generation.

Carmie was popular at school, sociable, playful and fun. She was a gifted writer and a talented performer. In her teens and early 20’s, she sang the blues and jazz standards with the Gene Parlette Orchestra and other big bands of the era. At the same time, like so many war brides, she was working at a local manufacturing company when her husband returned from the war. They struggled financially at first, but they were young and romantically in love. And they had so many friends who were in the same position, renting an apartment, saving to buy a car, a TV set, and then a house, all while raising three children. In 1964, they opened and operated a successful dry cleaning business, “Prim Dry Cleaners,” in the plaza across the street from Blessed Sacrament Church. It was the best time to grow up in America.

While Mom could not make a cup of coffee when she first married, she quickly picked up the culinary instincts and skills alla calabrese from her mother-in-law. She cooked a variety of meals, mostly Italian-American, but on Sunday, she prepared the traditional Italian dinner for her kids and grandkids well into her 80’s. She routinely scheduled lunches, hosted and entertained the many friends she made throughout her life, individuals and groups, club girls, neighbors, co-workers, and her very special friends. After selling the drycleaning business, Carmie worked in the credit department at First National Bank, Erie, PA. She loved her job and he people with whom she worked right up until her retirement. She worked another five (5) years in retail at Kaufmann’s Department Store before leaving to enjoy her grandchildren on a fulltime basis. She did everything with them, took them everywhere, showered them with love and affection, toys and the goodies they didn’t get from their parents. To them she was, and always will be, their Nanny. She gave everything she had, all her love and all her kindness, her generosity and her happiness, to her beloved grandchildren.

Perhaps inspired by the circumstances of her childhood, our mother was most effective in finding the good in people. She always had time for people, love and respect. She saw everyone as special, each with their own special story. And everyone she touched felt better about themselves.

In addition to her parents and parents-in-law, Carmine was preceded in death by her husband, Sam J. Talarico, a son, Richard J. Talarico, Psy.D., and her inseparable sisters, Rose Lewis (Clem) and Maryann “Mernie” Reinke (Dick).

She is survived by her children, Thomas S. Talarico (Kristin), Cathy M. Ferraro (Tom) and Deidre Talarico (Rick, of late); her grandchildren, Samantha Ferraro (Tony), Tiggy McLaughlin, Ph.D. (Jonathan), Dean Ferraro (Ashley), Tessa Ferraro (Alex), Jonathan Talarico and Harrison Talarico; and her great-grandchildren, Terry, Justin and Brenden McLaughlin and Luca Ferraro. She is also survived by her dear brother, Angelo LaFuria (Carmella), many nieces, nephews and close friends.

Carmie’s children would like to acknowledge the wonderful care, attention and love she received while a resident at Sarah Reed Senior Living Center. There are too many of you to mention, but we are so very thankful for the manner in which you respected and took care of our mother and communicated with us over the past two years of her life.

In honor of our mother, the family would extend a heartfelt invitation of a Celebration of her Life on Saturday afternoon, July 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Talarico residence, 4800 Tramarlac Lane, Erie, PA 16505.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carmine "Carmie" Talarico, please visit our flower store.

Carmine "Carmie" Talarico

May 8, 1925 — May 15, 2024

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