Louis , Sr

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Native Staten Islander Louis F. Sberna Sr., 81, of Tottenville, the loving patriarch of three generations, died Thursday in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Castleton Corners.

Born and raised in Mariners Harbor, Mr. Sberna attended McKee High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, stationed stateside at Fort Hood, Texas, and assigned to the military police.

After his discharge, Mr. Sberna returned to New Dorp. He moved to Dongan Hills in 1961 and settled in Tottenville about 20 years later. He entered the nursing home eight months ago.

He worked for many years as a stonemason, primarily on the Island.

For 25 years, he and his wife, the former Dorothy Valentino, were snowbirds, spending winters in Florida at Dania Beach and Hollywood.

Mr. Sberna loved Frank Sinatra, holidays, especially family dinners with his grandchildren, and spending time with those he cherished. He had a green thumb and enjoyed growing tomatoes and basil in his garden.

He also liked gambling, including playing craps and cards and betting on horses. Las Vegas and Atlantic City were two of his favorite destinations.

Dorothy, his wife of 58 years, died in 2010. His son, Salvatore, died in March.

Surviving are his son, Louis Jr.; his daughter, JoAnn Randazzo; nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Services: Monday December 19, 2011 A Mass of Christian Burial Our Lady Help of Christian's R.C. Church at 10:00 AM

Visitation: Sunday December 18, 2011 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Memorials: In Lieu of Flowers contributions to The Alzheimer's Asscoation of Staten Island Inc. 789 Post Ave. N.Y. 10301

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church