Obituary of Ambrose Laureto Splescia

Andy: He worked hard, he played hard, he loved hard. He seemingly did it all, and he did it all with his whole heart, positivity, and a smile. From a modest beginning as the son of Italian immigrants settled in Harlem, his work took him to become a Sergeant in the National Guard, an opera singer and cantor, a college graduate with a degree in engineering, and an owner of his own surveying business. His hard work never impeded his endless play. He was a frequent traveler to his beloved houses in the Florida Keys and in Upstate New York, where he could go to take full advantage of whatever cars, tractors, ATVs, boats, motorcycles, and other “toys” he could get his hands on, but especially to stay connected with his wide and colorful circle of friends. His exuberance and love of all things great and small in life was only matched by that of his wife, Alberta’s. Together, they built a home from the ground up, a business to support a family of seven, and a legacy that would span generations and reach deep into their community. He was the life of every party, an expert carver of turkey, a loyal drinker of Coors Light (“his disinfectant”), an eternal beach enthusiast, an employer of head and back scratchers, a serial entrepreneur (in real estate, hotel and restaurant ownership, freelance music, and more), a constant purveyor of wisecracks, and the creator of the famous grandchildrens’ secret password. Above all, he was a provider and a protector, a true rock exuding strength and generosity in the lives of those around him. His powerful presence was impossible for anyone to miss, though it was always wrapped in a package of humbleness and grace, as he never expected anything in return for his support and love. Through his actions, he contradicted the idea that you “can’t choose your family” in that he managed to make everyone in his life feel like family. He’s known to many as the most lovable devil the earth could withstand. We’ll selfishly miss having him here with us, but his wife Alberta needs him now. She has undoubtedly convinced the angels to make an exception to allow his golden spirit and celestial voice to join their choir in the sky.