Obituary of Carl L. Vilardo

WESTFIELD - Carl L. Vilardo, Jr., age 79, of Walker Road, Westfield, died Thursday, April 24, 2014 at home following an extended illness. Carl was born on March 25,1935 in Westfield, NY, a son of Jennie (Ciminnisi) Vilardo of Westfield and the late Carl Vilardo. A Westfield resident all his life, Carl was a 1953 graduate of Westfield Academy and Central Schools. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps and served from 1953 until his discharge as a sergeant in 1956. He came home from the Service and began a long and distinguished career on the family farm that included dairy and grapes; a farm now known as Vilardo Vineyards. Carl's farm provided grapes for Constellation Wines, Mogen David Wines, Westfield Maid and Cott Industries, as well as, Walker Fruit Farms, Mazza Wineries and Johnson Winery. Carl was very civic minded. He was a longtime Councilman for the town of Westfield having served for 38 years, retiring from the town board in 2009. Upon his retirement, the town honored him by renaming Reid Road to Vilardo Road. Carl was a founder and charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Westfield and had served the club as a director for 43 years, starting in 1971 until his death. He was recognized this past April 11, 2014 as a Distinguished Kiwanian for the NY District, an honor bestowed on very few. He was also honored by the farming community with the David Crowe "2011 Grape Industry Person of the Year" award. In his spare time, Carl enjoyed antiquing, auctions and refinishing furniture. For approximately twenty years, Carl and his wife, Roberta, owned and operated Vilardo Antiques. Carl was a member of St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, The Fr. Daniel Early Council 3100 Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club of Westfield, the John W. Rogers Post 327 American Legion, the Loyal Order Of Moose Lodge # 118 of Westfield, the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club and the Farm Bureau. Besides his mother, Jennie, Carl is survived by his wife of 54 years, Roberta (Casler) Vilardo , whom he married on January 30, 1959 in Mayville, NY, by his two daughters: Catherine (Mark) Strobl of East Amherst, NY, and Lisa Orlando of Clinton, NY and by his son, Carl (Lynne) Vilardo, III of Westfield. Carl was the very proud grandfather of Bradley (Linsay) Strobl of North Canton, OH, Dr. Jenna Strobl of Stowe, OH, Alexa Vilardo and Carl Vilardo, IV both of Westfield, and Julia Orlando and Matthew Orlando both of Clinton, NY. He is further survived by his two sisters, Mary Jane (Nathaniel) Kirkland of Edinburg, VA and Joanne Seamans of Crestline, OH; Friends may call on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY, and are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, 15 Union Street, Westfield, NY with Msgr. Albert Clody officiating. Burial will be private in St. James Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined due to severe family allergies. Instead, Carl's family requests memorials be made to Grape Discovery Center, 8305 West Main St. Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Vilardo family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.