Passed away on August 18, 2026, in Rochester, NY.

Antonio was predeceased by his parents, Augusto & Loreta Grugnale; brothers, Emilio (Antonietta) Grugnale & Augusto (Nina) Grugnale; in-laws, Michele & Pompea Giordano; brother-in-law, Armando Iafolla. He is survived by his loving wife, Angela Grugnale; children, Antonio (Victoria) Grugnale Jr., Michele Grugnale, Marco (Amanda) Grugnale & Daniela (Daniel) Buckley; grandchildren, Angelina Stephanie, Anthony Rocco, Juliana Marie, Lucrezia Pompea, Marco Roberto & Graziana Daniela Buckley; sister, Silvia Iafolla; brother-in-law, Vincenzo (Michelle) Giordano; sisters-in-law, Concetta Giordano & Giovana Parr (David Gardiner); many nieces & nephews.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, August 23rd from 2:00-5:00 pm at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, 1411 Vintage Lane, Rochester, NY 14626. Antonio’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30am on Monday, August 24th at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, 5000 Mt. Read Blvd.

Remembering Antonio ~

Antonio Grugnale was born on September 3, 1947, in Celano, Italy, a town nestled in the Apennine Mountains of the Abruzzo region. He was the son of Augusto Grugnale and Loreta Barbone Grugnale and grew up with his siblings, Emilio, Augusto, and Silvia. His early life in Italy instilled in him a strong appreciation for family, hard work, and perseverance. Antonio also proudly served in the Italian Military.

In 1968, at the age of 21, Antonio made the brave decision to leave Italy and begin a new life in the United States. He settled in Rochester, New York, where he initially worked as a mason alongside his brother, Augusto. Starting over in a new country came with its challenges, including learning the English language, but Antonio approached each obstacle with the determination that would become such a defining part of his character.

It was in Rochester’s Smith Street neighborhood that Antonio met Angela Giordano. The two married in 1971 and began building their life together. They became the proud parents of four children, Antonio Jr., Michele, Marco, and Daniela.

Antonio was a devoted husband and father who took great pride in providing for his family. He valued the simple routine of having his children home for dinner each evening and always took an interest in what was happening in their lives. He was loving, attentive, responsible, and dependable, and his family knew they could always count on him.

His career reflected his natural ability to work with his hands and learn new skills. After beginning as a mason, Antonio went to work at Kodak, first as a mason and later as a welder. He remained at Kodak for 27 years before retiring. Retirement, however, did not keep Antonio from working. He spent the next 15 years as a school bus driver for First Student. He also enjoyed being a business partner with his brother-in-law, Vincenzo Giordano, at the Giordano Cheese Shop.

Antonio was happiest when he was creating something or working on a project. He enjoyed learning new skills and putting them to use, whether he was cooking, making wine, gardening, or building something with his own hands. He took particular pride in his garden, where he grew fresh vegetables, and in his lawn, which he wanted to keep looking immaculate.

One of Antonio’s most treasured accomplishments was the cottage he built on Lake Ontario. What began as a building project became a special gathering place for his family and a source of countless memories. The family spent many weekends there, and Antonio loved every aspect of cottage life. He took great pride in maintaining the property and enjoyed the time spent there with family, friends, and neighbors.

Among those neighbors was Elton, who became a close friend despite the language barrier between them. Their friendship was built on a mutual willingness to help one another. Elton helped Antonio learn how to get the cottage’s water pump working. Their friendship demonstrated something that came naturally to Antonio: people did not need to speak the same language to understand kindness and friendship.

Antonio was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church and enjoyed being part of his community. He was naturally friendly and greeted people with a smile. He enjoyed gatherings with family and friends and especially loved dancing at weddings.

When he wasn’t working in the yard or at the cottage, Antonio enjoyed settling in with one of his favorite movies or television shows. He loved classic Westerns, particularly John Wayne movies such as Rio Bravo and Rio Lobo. He was also a fan of 1980s action films starring Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Chuck Norris, along with James Bond movies. On television, he enjoyed Walker, Texas Ranger and The A-Team.

Antonio lived with a quiet determination and a genuine desire to make life better for those around him. He was tenacious when faced with a challenge, generous with his time, and always willing to lend a hand. Whether he was learning how to navigate life in a new country, mastering a new skill, tending his garden, or building his family’s cottage, he approached life with purpose and persistence.

Yet, for all that Antonio accomplished, what mattered most to him was the time he shared with the people he loved. His family and friends were at the heart of his life, and the memories created around the dinner table, at the cottage, at celebrations, and during everyday moments were the ones he treasured most.

Antonio’s life was a journey that began in a small town in Italy and continued through decades of family, friendship, work, and memories in Rochester. He built a life with his hands, but more importantly, he built a loving home and a family who knew how deeply they were cherished. His warmth, smile, determination, and generous spirit will remain part of the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him.