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Giulio Onorati passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Dec. 14 at his daughter’s home in Deep River. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Giulio came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Giulio was born in Boville, Italy, the beloved son of Gaetano and Domenica Onorati. He married his childhood sweetheart, and the love of his life, Mafalda DePaulis on Feb. 7, 1953. Together they purchased and created a home in Jamaica, New York where they raised their four children. They built a second home in the Catskills where their extended family celebrated many summers, winters, and holidays, including his famous Fourth of July fireworks.

Giulio migrated to the United States at the age of 15, where he began work as a concrete mason. Over the next five decades, he built a successful business, and he laid the cement foundations for thousands of happy family homes across Queens and Long Island.

Giulio was a special, kind-hearted man who truly wore his heart on his sleeve. He had an infectious sense of humor, a passion for wine making, barbecuing (or turning meat into charcoal), and spending precious time with his family and friends. Every meal was a celebration, and every conversation was an excuse for teasing and laughter.

Giulio is survived by his four children, Rita Fabrizi and her husband Claudio, Maria Schmelzer and her husband Ronald, Marisa Fabrizi and her partner John Farrugia, and Angelo Onorati and his wife Doralee. His legacy includes eight grandchildren, Daniel Fabrizi, Gianni Fabrizi, Dennis Schmelzer, Robert Schmelzer, Steven Schmelzer, Christopher Fabrizi, Peter Fabrizi, and Gabriella Onorati. Giulio is also the beloved great-grandfather of 15: Ava, Daniela, Adam, Isabel, Evelyn, Reed, Giulia, Ashlen, Gia, Oswald, Lucas, Arduino, Arianna, Giulio Fox, and Sienna.

Calling hours for Giulio were held on Dec. 16 in the Franklin Funeral Home, Franklin Square, New York. A funeral Mass was held at Saint Catherine of Sienna, Franklin Square, followed by a burial service in St. Michael’s Cemetery, East Elmhurst, New York.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Giulio’s memory to either the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or The National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org).

To share a memory of Giulio or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Local arrangements were in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.