Sheepshead Bay Loses Unsung Heroine Carmela "Chubby" Versace


by on Jun 27th, 2011

Requiescat In Pace, Carmela "Chubby" Versace | Source: John J. Healey Funeral Home

Ever read an obit and think that you cannot possibly relate less to the person you are reading about? Take Huguette Clark, for instance — the reclusive 104-year-old copper heiress and daughter of a former U.S. Senator from the state of Montana. Who among us was “reared in Beaux-Arts splendor in a 121-room Fifth Avenue mansion” awash in the works of Rembrandt, Donatello, Rubens and Degas?

But then, I happened upon a loving tribute for Sheepshead Bay resident Carmela “Chubby” Versace, 85, who leaves behind a grieving family larger than those of the Bradies and Partridges combined, and I thought, “I could have known this lady,” because she is as salt of the earth as they get.

Born in Greenwich Village, Carmela moved to Sheepshead Bay in 1940 and, like so many people I know who are 65 and older, sold Stanley Home Products door-to-door (or, alternately, Fuller Brush). But you know what really separates this sassy, loving, family-oriented Brooklyn gal from the stodgy old fuddy duddy Huguette? One sentence: “In the words of Chubbs ‘I have two words for you and it’s not Happy Birthday’.”

Read the whole thing (I omitted wake info, since it already passed, but you can see it if you click here), and if you have any memories of “Chubbs,” be sure and share them in the comments:

VERSACE, Carmela (Chubby), (nee Surace), 85 years old, on June 17, 2011. “THE STANLEY LADY.” Beloved wife of the late Jerry. Loving mother of Maryann Boccia (Frank), Antoinette Boccia (Gerard), Camille Muscarella (late John), Maria Versace (Bill O’Leary), the late Rose Marie Versace, and Geraldine Vigneron (Steven). Dear grandmother of Sebastian, John, Matthew, Delena, Gina, Anthony, Ryan, Rose Marie, Jack, Abbey, Michael and Katie. Great grandmother of Max and Giavanna.

Carmela was born on April 14, 1926 and lived Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village, NY. She later moved with her parents, Antoinette and Bruno and her nine siblings, Daniel, Mary, Anthony, Florence, Theresa, Rocco, Gloria, Bruno and Rose Marie to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn in 1940.

Carmela was a parishioner of St. Marks Church for 60 years. She began her career selling Stanley Home Products at the age of 25. She continued selling door to door throughout all the neighborhoods of Brooklyn up until her recent illness. Carmela loved “good ole Brooklyn”…her afternoon swims at Brighton Beach, her Johnny Walker Black with a beer chaser, cooking her famous chicken soup for the neighborhood and delivering her cases of Stanley degreaser to her customers. In the words of Chubbs “I have two words for you and it’s not Happy Birthday”.

She lived her life, worked hard, raised her kids, and her family loved her. God speed, Chubbs. Sheepshead Bay is a better place because real people like you called it home.

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  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Sounds like a typical Sheepshead Bay resident of yore. The old timers (people of my parents generation) were incredible. Those who are still with us should be cherished because they are still amazing.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisanne001 Lisanne!

    Sounds like a typical Sheepshead Bay resident of yore. The old timers (people of my parents generation) were incredible. Those who are still with us should be cherished because they are still amazing.

  • Gmv2335

    Thank you so much for you “bite” about my mother, Carmela Versace.  She was such an extraordinary lady and is missed tremendously already by her family.  She was unique, cared very deeply about her faith and her neighborhood.  She loved Brooklyn! 
    Geraldine

    • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erica-Sherman-Photographer/156144554406226?ref=mf ES

      My deepest condolences on your loss. From the little bit I gleaned, she seemed like a really terrific gal, and I’m sorry I never got to know her — I’ll bet she had some great stories to tell.

  • Seb

    We’ll miss you grandma.  The meatballs, the scotch, the love. 

     - You’re #1 (that’s right brothers and cousins, #1) – Sebadebadoo 

  • Barbara

    She was a wonderful woman and the heart of her family.  She will be missed by all.  I practically grew up in her house and spent more time with her family than i did my own.  She will be united with her beloved husband Jerry and her daughter (one of my best friends) Rose Marie.  RIP Chubby.

  • Mary Ann VB

    Thank you all for your kind words regarding my mom Carmela (Chubby). She was my rock, the foundation and backbone of the family.  Her legacy will live on. Mom was a true Brooklynite even until the end! Chubby will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Your loving daughter Mary Ann     

  • Frankie

    Carmela was my mother-in-law, I am proud to say I loved her deeply!…She would do anything for me and vice-versa…She loved Brooklyn to the max, and knew her way around all the different neighborhoods because of her business, a Stanley Home Product salesperson! (for 60 years)…There is not enough space here to tell you what a great woman she was and how much she will be missed by all …It was an honor for me to call her, Mom !…Farewell Mom, Till we meet again! Love Frankie

  • Abbeyxo12

    I miss you grandma. I love you. Rest In Peace. :(
    -Abbey a.k.a abbadabado.

  • Abbeyxo12

    I miss you grandma. I love you. Rest In Peace. :(
    -Abbey a.k.a abbadabado.

  • Kim

    Every memory warms the heart, she was the most generous, welcoming, loving, accepting person I have ever known. I cannot remember ever being in her company without laughing or eating or meeting someone new that became one of their wonderful family. God truly blessed us with her, it is impossible for words to convey how much love one person could emit through kindness. Heaven will never be the same.

  • Vfab123

    My name is Jo Fabrico and I worked with Chubby in Stanley Home Products for many years, until 2003. I then moved to Florida but never forgot the time I spent with Chubby, she was one of a kind. I met most of Her family throughout the years that we worked together,  and I want to express my deepest condolences to each.  Reading this tribute was personal to me, because as I read, I relived many wonderful times with Chubby. She will be in my prayers as well as Her family. Signing with LOVE.

  • David Gellman

    Carmela “Chubby” Versace was one of a kind. I grew up hanging out on her stoop and always remember how she always made me feel like part of the family. You never stopped at her house without finding a handfull of people there to see her, having a meal and laughing all the way through. Armed with a beautiful smile, she could always tell you like it was and still make you feel good about it. She was one of the most beautiful people I have ever known. I will cherish the memories I have of knowing her and her family through the years. Her spirit will live on through the family that she raised and the love that she passed on to them. Some day I will have the honor of seeing her again. This is one thing I am sure of.

  • Susieqnajah

    My obsession with Huguette Clark has led me to my Fave Aunt Chubby?  How bizarre.  (Clark was an heiress from “old” money who became a recluse.  Later in life when family members tried to visit her, she refused to see them.  It then became unclear if she had fallen ill and was hospitalized, or placed in a home, or lived in one of her many properties.  Although grounds keepers kept their positions and were dutifully paid, not one of them knew where she was living.  One reason I was obsessed with her was because I wondered how someone with such an odd name got on in life.  But mainly because I didn’t have the slightest idea of how to even pronounce it!  Seriously, can anyone figure it out?  Did they call her Huggie for short and that’s why she got mad?)  They could have been the odd couple.  I’m glad Chubby was NOT Huguette.  Who then would have allowed me to hang on the stoop smoking Marlboro Reds during my summer breaks, tell Ro Ro to give me her old Disco Jeans, buy a pound of Boar’s Head ham and a loaf of Italian bread from Bassett’s so I could make sandwiches for lunch, cook up brocolli with olive, garlic, and lemon when I had a craving, and greet me the most powerful squeeze embrace and  kiss when I landed on the last step of the flight down into her kitchen/office?  Even if Huggie is a nut, I bet Chubby is inviting her in for some “ronis” and a meatball up in Heaven.  

  • Gina Bee xox

    My grandmother truly was one of a kind. Giving us kisses so hard our eyes would almost pop out of our head all the while leaving a huge red lipstick stain on our cheeks!  I miss you and I love you more then you could ever imagine…I’ll see you when I see you… 

    <3 Gina