SIDNEY – Rosario “Soddy” Mirabito, 83, of Sidney, passed away Thursday, July 13, 2006, at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City surrounded by his loving family after fighting a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Soddy was born July 10, 1923, son of the late Vincenzo (James) and Rosa (LaGreca) Mirabito in Norwich.
He graduated from Norwich Central School where he excelled in athletics especially baseball. He attended Ithaca College and Syracuse University before and after serving his country in the United States Army 28th Division from 1943 to 1945. He was in the European Theatre, including the battle of Normandy (D-Day invasion +3), Northern France Ardennes Battle, German Battle of the Bulge, Hurken Forest Battle. One of four sons of James Mirabito, founder of the Mirabito Fuel Group, Soddy worked most of his life in the family business. He took over as president when his brother Tom retired. In 1969, Soddy founded Golden Valley Sports Camp in Sidney, “the largest private sports camp in the country.” He retired in 1988 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For many years he gave of his time in civic organizations. Soddy was a member of the Sidney Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow; he was past president of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce and was honored as Citizen of the Year in 1990. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Soddy was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4937 in Sidney. He was a life member of the Sidney American Legion Post #183, VFW Post #7914, Loyal Order of the Moose Sidney and Sidney Elks Lodge. Soddy was also an avid bowler and was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame in 1990.
On Sept. 1, 1947, Soddy married Carmela (Carmie) Aquino of Canastota, together they were blessed with six children: daughter - Virginia and Dan Brandt of Sidney; sons - Vincent and Leslie Mirabito of Norwich, Ross Mirabito of Greene, Rick and Jo Ann Mirabito of Norwich, William and Karen Mirabito of Oneonta and Gerard Mirabito of Sidney; grandchildren - Andrew Brandt, Peter and Maureen Mirabito, Nicholas and Stacey Brandt, Laura, Phillip, Jessica, Jeffrey, Jason, Amanda and Alex Mirabito; great-granchildren - Emily Brandt and Ava Mirabito; Brother and sister-in-law - Thomas and Tina Mirabito of Sidney; two sisters-in-law - Josephine Mirabito and Edith Mirabito; special family friend, Anthony Donaloio of Sidney along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is also predeceased by two brothers, Angelo and Anthony.
Friends called Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Scared Heart Catholic Church, Liberty St., Sidney. The family was in attendance from 2 to 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Gordon Polenz officiating. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sidney Emergency Squad, River St., Sidney.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.