Rosaria Aquila

Ocala, FL—Rosaria Aquila, 89 died Monday at Hawthorne Village after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Known by everyone as “Sadie”, she was born Rosaria Marion Disclafani in Decatur, Illinois on March 2, 1929.  A few years later, she moved with her parents and siblings to Brooklyn, NY.  It was there she met her husband, John Mario Aquila while taking guitar lessons from John’s father.  They were engaged “by proxy” while John was serving as a minesweeper in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  John and Sadie were married on Sept 7th, 1947.  It is fitting that Sadie will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband on what would have been their 72nd wedding anniversary.

In the 70’s, John and Sadie opened J & R French Cleaners in NY.  John cleaning the items and managing the business while Sadie took in tailoring and worked the counter.  Sadie was very gregarious and had many friends.  She enjoyed having people over whether planned or at the spur of the moment.  No one ever went away hungry because Sadie made sure everyone left with a full belly and a plate to take home as well.  The family enjoyed traveling the east coast in their RV.  Among their many destinations were Disney World in FL, OpryLand in Tennessee, and Lake George, NY.

In the 80’s, the Aquila family moved to central Florida.  John died in March of 1986.  After John’s death, Sadie’s sister Carmella came to Florida to live with Sadie.  The sisters were inseparable until 2015 when Sadie was moved into Hawthorne Village.

Sadie is survived by her three daughters, Camille Flynn, Marianna Rader, and Roseann Spaulding; 8 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.  Ms. Aquila will be laid to rest at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL.  A memorial service will be held for her at Ocala First Assembly of God church 1827 NE14th Street in Ocala, FL on Sunday, September 9th at 3pm.  All are welcome to attend.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rosaria Aquila to Hospice of Marion county or Hawthorne Village of Ocala.