By: Nicole Falco
Instead of giving that best-man toast, however, Steven, 22, found himself sharing those cherished memories and feelings with family and friends in a eulogy. Brian Saccareccia died July 26 from injuries he had sustained in a motorcycle accident nearly three weeks earlier. He was 23.
The accident took place the afternoon of July 8, on Brookside Drive near Rockaway Avenue, just down the block from SaccarecciaÕs home. It did not involve any other vehicles. Saccareccia was airlifted to Nassau County Medical Center, where he was treated for severe head trauma. His family kept a bedside vigil, though he never regained consciousness. He was surrounded by his family when he died.
ÒHe was a great friend, a great brother,Ó Michael said. ÒHe seemed to touch everybody he knew, whether you knew him for five minutes or a whole lifetime. He was just kind-hearted.Ó
Saccareccia grew up in Valley Stream, the second of Walter and Marian SaccarecciaÕs four children. The family was always close-knit. Brian graduated from Holy Name of Mary School, played football for the Valley Stream Green Hornets and was a member of Holy NameÕs CYO basketball team. When he wasnÕt playing on a local team, he and his brothers would play in the street. Their games were just as competitive.
When he attended Kellenberg Memorial High School, Saccareccia continued playing football. When he graduated in 1999, Steven and his sister, Tara, now 21, were sorry to see their older brother go. ÒIt was always nice sitting in detention and seeing [BrianÕs] big smile from outside the classroom ask me, ÔWhatÕd you do now, Steve?ÕÓ Steven said in his eulogy. Ò[And] an encouraging word or smile would be enough to get Tara through the rest of her day.Ó
Saccareccia earned an associateÕs degree from Nassau Community College. Like his father, he worked for the town, as a member services representative for the Town of Hempstead Credit Union. Walter works for the public safety department.
ÒBrian was a hard worker,Ó Steven said. ÒHe had an equal love of manual labor and white-collar work. He was just as proud of the new garden he designed and built in our backyard as he was learning some new task at the credit union.Ó
After Saccareccia and Conigliaro, 24, a Valley Stream resident, got engaged last summer, Brian began working more than one job to help pay for their wedding. ÒHe always focused on the big picture,Ó Steven said. ÒHe always thought long-term. Mike and Brian would always discuss the future ... career plans and buying a house ... Since Brian loved life so much, it was one of his favorite subjects to talk about.Ó
As the siblings got older, they grew closer. Michael, 26, Steven and Brian often went to concerts together Ñ Eric Clapton, the Who, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan. They also traveled together. In June, the Saccareccias, Conigilaro and their friends took a cruise to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands. The brothers had even discussed getting tattoos that would symbolize their bond. Whether it was going to the gym at 5:30 a.m., giving advice or offering an encouraging word, Brian was there when his family needed him.
ÒI know in my heart that we could not have done it any better,Ó Steven said. ÒThere are no regrets and absolutely no missed opportunities.Ó
Saccreccia was waked at The Moore Funeral Home last Wednesday and Thursday. A funeral Mass took place at Holy Name, followed by burial at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
Besides his parents, his siblings and his fiance, Saccareccia is survived by his paternal grandmother, Lucille, of Valley Stream, and his maternal grandparents, Ed and Rosemary Kiligrew, of Valley Stream, as well as numrous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Two memorial scholarships have been set up in his memory: the Kellenberg High School Brian E. Saccareccia Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Town of Hempstead Federal Credit Union Brian E. Saccareccia Memorial Scholarship Fund. To find out more about the Kellenberg scholarship or to make a donation, contact the Rev. Tom Cordone at the high school at (516) 292-0200. Donations to the credit union scholarship can be mailed to the Brian E. Saccareccia Memorial Scholarship Fund, Town of Hempstead Employees Federal Credit Union, 1830 Grand Ave., Baldwin, NY 11510-2414.
