- Date Of Birth: April 12, 1936
- Date Of Death: July 7, 2019
- State: Florida
Helen Rotyliano, 83, of Melbourne, FL passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving husband Joe, at Viera Health & Rehabilitation Center in Melbourne, FL on Sunday, July 7, 2019. She was born on April 12, 1936 in New Rochelle, NY to the late Alexander and Helia (Kangas) Rainone.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Joseph C. Rotyliano, whom she met as a young teenager when their families were neighbors in West New Rochelle. From that point on they were each other’s love of their lives.
She is also survived by sons Joe and Janet Rotyliano of Rockledge, FL, Steve and Donna Rotyliano of Sparta, NJ and Robert and MaryLynn Rotyliano of Medford Lakes, NJ and daughters Michele Rotyliano of Indialantic, FL and Denise Ozoroski and fiancé Randy Solomon of East Windsor, NJ. She also was the loving “Grammy” to fifteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Rotyliano had three brothers and three sisters. She was predeceased by her sister Doris Braca and brothers Alexander and Frank Rainone. She is survived by her sisters Carol Siller of New Rochelle, NY, Irene (Rocky) Curry of Tacoma, WA and John (Deborah) Rainone of Tucson, AZ. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law Anna Rotyliano of Sandy Hook, CT and many nieces and nephews.
Helen and Joe moved from New Jersey to Melbourne in 1992 after he retired from a long career at Sears, Roebuck. Their journey together began in the early 50’s during high school years and continued after Joe graduated and entered the U.S. Army. They were married soon after his discharge in 1956. They were very close to building their lives together in Arizona, where Joe was last stationed, but instead settled down back in New Rochelle and began raising a family. Helen was the epitome of a professional homemaker and CEO of the household. Every few years the family would move as Joe’s career advanced. Helen would handle the “logistics” and treat each move like a new family adventure.
Helen loved cooking (especially her famous Grammy’s Sunday Gravy), hours working on puzzles, fishing and playing bingo at the Italian American Club. Plus, everyone knew to let Grammy scratch the instant lottery tickets as she seemed to always win. She was also a huge Orlando Magic basketball fan and knew every player by name.
