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www.qns.com I LIC COURIER I JUNE 2018 41
she knew were "I'm sorry", "excuse
me" and "yes." In the beginning of
their relationship, they communicated
using English and Spanish
dictionaries. Eventually, Uceta said
she started learning English.
The pair are avid travelers, making
it a priority to take about two
trips per year. Uceta said that one of
her favorite places they have been
to together was Turkey. She raved
about the beauty of the country and
remembers how much fun they had
dancing on the trip. They have also
been to Greece, Italy, Morocco and
multiple cruises to different countries
around the world.
"I did everything in my lifetime.
When you're 93, you do everything,"
Moscatello said.
Patricia Crupi, the chaplain and
spiritual care coordinator for Hospice
of New York, presided over their wedding.
She read them a poem entitled
"True Love" and a passage from 1
Corinithians 13, as husband and wife
tenderly held each other's hands.
Lillie Klein, a music therapist from
the hospice gave a special acoustic
guitar performance of the Paris
Sisters' 1961 hit "I Love How You
Love Me."
Also in attendance at the nuptials
were other hospice employees, including
Dr. Fred Schwartz, Sean Casserly
RN, Carolyn Parson, a social worker
and John Diaz-Chermack the hospice
assistant administrator and compliance
officer.
On the day of his and Uceta's wedding,
he periodically broke into his own
rendition of Frank Sinatra's "It Was a
Very Good Year" and joked that he
would go back to being 17 if he could.
Many reminders of his vintage life could
be found lining the perimeter of the
room where the ceremony was held.
The model airplanes and sailboats
brought to mind Moscatello's time
during World War II and the Korean
War. After lying about his age, the
then 16-year-old Moscatello enlisted
in the Army during World War II and
was discharged at 20.
The war veteran served in three
branches of the armed forces during
his lifetime: the Army, Navy and
Air Force. While serving he had the
opportunity to fly planes, build boats
and even ride in a submarine.
In addition to serving in the armed
forces, Moscatello sang at nightclubs
and cruise ships during and after his
time in service. Some highlights that
he remembers about his singing career
include when he had the opportunity to
perform in British theater from 1942
to 1945 and also when sang "Vesti
la giubba" from Pagliacci during his
time performing in Massachusetts.
In fact, for the wedding, he wore
the jacket that he used to wear as a
nightclub singer in 1949.
As for his longevity, Moscatello said
that his secrets were "a young woman
and cognac." The ceremony didn't include
cognac, but rather a champagne
toast for a happy marriage — and to
a life well lived.
... that his
secrets were "a
young woman
and cognac" ...
GEORGE MOSCATELLO
A former singer and a war veteran
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