Anna Bertolino

Anna Bertolino, 81, born on Staten Island, N.Y. died early Saturday morning, October 11, 2014 at Hospice House Woodside in Pinellas Park. Anna fought a long battle with lung cancer, which began in 2010, went into remission, but returned last year.

Anna was the daughter of Sosio (Jack) Crispino and Angelina (Nene) Crispino. She had a happy childhood, growing up on Staten Island as part of a large Italian family that celebrated every event, large and small, with food- lots and lots of food. Her first job was at Ralph’s Italian Ice in Port Richmond. She also worked in Manhattan for a while as an Office Worker, riding the ferry into the city with her Aunt Chick every day.

She married Ernest Mentesana in 1956. They lived in several towns in New Jersey, including Lake Hopatcong, and also for a time in Newburgh, N.Y., until Ernest’s work took them to the east coast of Florida in the 1970’s. During this time, Anna was a stay-at-home mom, a role that she took pride in. Eventually, they moved to the west coast of Florida (Seminole). Ernest died of cancer at the age of 52 in 1979.

After that, Anna worked at the Publix in Bardmoor, FL in the bakery. During this time, an elderly couple who shopped there decided to try their hand at matchmaking. They introduced her to Vincent Bertolino, also widowed, from Hauppauge, NY. Anna and Vincent married and moved into “The Lakes” in Clearwater, FL where she remained for the rest of her life. Vincent died in 1993.

Anna is survived by three children- Ernest Joseph Mentesana and his fiancée, Debbie of Fleetwood, N.C., Lynn Marie and husband Gary Ferrara of Seminole, FL., and Lois Ann of the home. She also has four granddaughters- Melissa (Brandon) Capwell and Alicia Mentesana, both of N.C., Krystal (Brandon) George and Angela Ferrara of Seminole, FL. There is one great grandchild, Mason George, with another one due in February. She also leaves behind one sister, Joan Ricci of Pinellas Park, cousins on Staten Island and Naples, FL.

Anna worked up until 2010 as a food demonstrator at Costco, but her chief job in life was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. To Anna, housework was a noble occupation, worthy of the utmost effort. No dish went unwashed, no crumb unswept, under her watchful eye. One thing was for certain- when you left her house it was always with a full stomach. The most important things in life to her were her home and family, followed by cookies, candy and “Everybody Loves Raymond”. She loved roses- the flower, the scent and the color.

The family would like to thank Dr. Anil Raiker and the staff of Suncoast Hospice for their kind, compassionate care. Anna’s last days were spent at Hospice House Woodside surrounded by her daughter and caretaker, Lois, and her sister, Joan. We know she has gone to a better place- to that great big “All You Can Eat Buffet” in the sky.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg 33709 (northbound entrance from 54th Avenue).  Please sign the guestbook below.