Gaetano Tangorra was born in Triggiano, Bari, Italy on May 22, 1931 to his mother Maria Lagioia and father Gaetano Tangorra. There he grew up in a bustling house with his six siblings: Pierinno, Vincenzo, Michele, Elisa, Nina, and Rosa.
Gaetano met and married his beautiful wife, Anna D’Addosio on October 26, 1954, and together they had four children: Marisa, Rosa, Vincent, and John. With an abundance of courage and a dream of a better life for himself and his children, Gaetano moved his family to Chicago, Illinois in 1963. He worked relentlessly in various jobs searching for stable work. It was then that he stumbled upon truck driving, which would become his passion. He had an amazing twenty-three year career in the business, driving for ACE Hardware where he was lovingly referred to by his radio handle, Sunshine. He loved new cars, mostly white vans, and is known to drive from Chicago to California nonstop armed only with a thermos full of espresso and a bundle of his wife’s focaccia.
With his quick wit and sense of humor intact, Gaetano settled comfortably into a long, Juventus-watching retirement in Temecula, California where he packed olives and began making his own wine, which he adamantly insisted was better than any other reserve. His smile was as consistent as the jingling of the change in his pockets and his desire for traditional Sunday meals. On the afternoon of October 17, 2022, Gaetano passed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Anna; his children, Rosa and her husband Camillo, Vincent and his long-time girlfriend Dawn, and John and his wife Gina; his ten grandchildren; his fourteen great grandchildren; and his remaining siblings, Nina and Rosa.
In his own words, Ce n'ge na ma sci, sciamaninn, ce non ge na ma sci, non ge ne sim scenn.
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