Longtime Mineola residents Carmela and Sal Villani celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Oct. 10.
Carmela Felicia Romanelli of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and Salvatore Basil Villani of Williamsburg, Brooklyn were married at Incarnation Church in Queens on Oct. 10, 1953.
They began their lives together in Queens and then moved to New Hyde Park. As their family grew they moved to Albertson until 1991. They currently live in Mineola.
Carmela and Sal have six children: Joe Villani, Fran Kozusko, Regina Kuhl, Jeanne Villani, Maryanne Curtin and Peter Villani. They have seven grandchildren.
Sal has been a deacon at St. Aidan Church in Williston Park for the past 29 years. He retired from IBM after 33 years of service. He worked with AIDS patients for a few years and his last few years worked as a counselor with the Long Island Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence. He is retired, but continues to keep busy with his deacon ministry, as well as various other volunteer and family activities.
Carmela stayed at home to raise their six children. She was a teacher at St. Aidan’s School for almost 20 years, having earned her master’s degree in reading. After retiring from teaching, she worked for a non-profit organization called New Ground. Carmela is enjoying retirement, but continues to assist at New Ground on a volunteer basis. She also keeps very active in her various church ministries as extraordinary minister, visiting home bound individuals and other activities in the church.
Both Sal and Carmela have been longtime parishioners and continue their help with the church. They host a prayer group in their home, which they have done for many years.
In their free time, Carmela and Sal enjoy spending time and doing things with their family, going to New York City, and participating in a book club. Their home is always open to entertaining their friends and family, who all appreciate their delicious meals and hospitality. Their warmth, openness and generosity has touched many people.
We congratulate Carmela and Sal Villani on 60 wonderful years together.
