Americo J. "Cab" Berarducci

Americo J. "Cab" Berarducci

On the evening of June 19th, 2013, Americo "Cab" Berarducci went to heaven, because that's where he wanted to go. He was preceded in death by his beautiful and loving wife of 42 years, Antoinette Amatangelo Berarducci and his only son, Dr. James Panfilo Berarducci; parents Joseph and Bettina Berarducci, six brothers: Edo (Nettie), Eli (Julia) Dominick (Lucille) Frank (Tish) Eugene, Arthur and his only sister, Florida DiEugenio.

Cab's parents emigrated from Italy to the US and settled in Erie, PA. The family lived in the heart of Erie's "Little Italy" between 17th and 18th on Plum. Cab was a product of a close knit family, immigrant community and public school system. Cab lived the American dream and never missed a day of school and rarely missed a day of work over his lifetime. He joined the US Coast Guard during WWII and sailed almost completely around the globe and fought in the South Pacific. He was a life-time member of VFW Post 470 and a member of the American Legion.

After his war service in 1951, he received a degree in Business Administration from Gannon University through the GI Bill. When the 12th street corridor was a manufacturing hub, he worked at different shops and became a master machinist. He understood metals, machines and engines. He could "machine" whatever you needed out of a hunk of metal to finish any job you were doing. He studied and understood real estate and business, and used that knowledge to buy and sell many properties. He owned and operated grocery stores, a restaurant and invented the "Easy See Ruler" over his lifetime. He was a Democrat party faithful and never missed a vote. He was never daunted by his own missteps, and credited most of his life's success to not making the same mistake twice. He retired from Kaiser Aluminum in 1987, where life-long friendships were forged, and never looked back. During his retirement he spent time with his siblings and sister-in-laws by taking them to doctor appointments or grocery shopping and was never far from them until each one of them passed. He swam at the Glenwood YMCA 3 days a week for 26 years and roller skated on Wednesday nights with "The Skater Group" for almost two decades because he believed " it's harder to hit a moving target. " Cab loved to watch the dogs run and attended races at various dog tracks, and spent decades playing Pinochle late into the evenings. After his retirement and his wife Antoinette passed, he was blessed with the gift of another companion, Gloria McKeeton, whose self-less, nurturing company he enjoyed for over 20 years. Together, they roller skated, danced, walked on the peninsula, made home-made elderberry wine and enjoyed a wealth of healthy, active years. Though he retired from Kaiser Aluminum at age 65, he needed something more to fill his time. That something more became his second home. Monday through Friday was spent working and socializing at Scolio's Fruit Basket. He rarely missing a day of work and reported in for the last time the day he died. Joe Scolio, his sister Annie and husband, Jim Carey and the "regulars" at Scolio's Fruit Basket are also his loving, extended family.

Cab is survived by his only daughter, Rebecca Berarducci Pruveadenti, son-in-law, Pete Glaz and two grandchildren, Nicole Cara Pruveadenti and James Americo Pruveadenti, sister in law, Rina Amatangelo Hoffman and brother-in-law Edward (Buzz) Hoffman and sister-in-law Angie Berarducci. Cab is also survived by several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend a service there on Monday at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, Erie, PA 16502.