Community, family, friends honor Seaford couple killed in stabbing

Angela Pulisciano and Antonio D’Ambrosio weren’t just the owners of a well-known Italian deli in Bethpage. To their Seaford neighbors, loyal customers, and longtime friends, they were the heart and soul of the community — always working, always smiling, always serving others with kindness.

Dozens gathered at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Seaford on Dec. 12 to say goodbye to the couple, just eight days after police say they were stabbed and killed inside their family-run business, A & A Italian Deli & Pizza.
“Life is real, and so is death,” Rev. John Derasmo, pastor of St. James, told mourners during the funeral service. “The fact is, there are many times when things are clearly not okay, and this is one of them.”

Pulisciano, 62, and D’Ambrosio, 70, were found by police around 9:10 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the deli, located at 4240 Hicksville Road. Police said both had suffered stab wounds. Pulisciano was pronounced dead at the scene. D’Ambrosio was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Their son, Vito Dambrosio, 30, also of Seaford, was arrested at the scene without incident, police said. D’Ambrosio has been charged with first-degree murder and was arraigned on Dec. 4 in a bedside court appearance. He pleaded not guilty to the murders at Nassau University Medical Center, where he was recovering from injuries.

The two Seaford residents owned and worked at the deli, which offered classic gourmet sandwiches, pizza, hot heroes, paninis, salads, homemade Italian specialties, breakfast items, and Italian groceries for over three decades.

The couple was buried at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale on Dec. 12. Visitations were held on Dec. 11 and 12 at Frederick J. Chapey & Sons in Bethpage. Cousin of the couple, Roxanne Mallilo, read from two separate biblical passages at the funeral.

“But they are in peace,” Mallilo read. “For if before men, indeed, they are punished yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.”

There were no other injuries reported and authorities have not released a motive in the case. The and investigation continues. The deli, which the couple owned and operated for decades, has been shuttered since the tragedy. In the days following the killings, customers left bouquets, candles and handwritten messages taped to the storefront.

One sign, written in black marker on a piece of cardboard, read: “Heroes never die. They live on forever in the hearts and minds of those who follow in their footsteps.”

Farmingdale resident Joseph Garcia spoke at the service passionately about the couple’s impact on their community. “Tony and Angelo were two of the hardest working people I’ve ever met,” he said. “They worked 12 to 15 hours a day, seven days a week.” Derasmo similarly highlighted the couple's community contributions, including donating pizzas from their deli to the church's senior citizen group.

Garcia compared the food made in the deli to a home cooked meal made by a loving grandparent, emphasizing that the couple treated anyone who came into their restaurant–regular or stranger–as a familiar face. “They treated us like family,” Garcia added. “The deli was so much more, it feels like nothing will ever be the same.”

The local community began crowdfunding for the family and raised nearly $80,000 since the tragic events of Dec. 4. “For more than 30 years, Tony and Angela devoted their lives to serving all of us,” read a Dec. 4 post on the GoFundMe page. “Straight from Italy, they built their deli with love, humility, and pure dedication. They never overcharged, never complained, and never treated anyone as just a customer. To them, we were all family.” The post encouraged support for the couple’s children, saying, “Let’s show their children how deeply loved and appreciated Tony and Angela were, and still are.”

On a post in the GoFundMe from Dec. 6, she shared an update from the family. “We want to begin by saying thank you from the deepest part of our hearts.” The message continued, “Angelina, Michael, Giovanni, and Anthony are overwhelmed by the love, generosity, and compassion this community has shown. They cannot believe how many people have stepped forward for them — people from near and far, customers from years ago, friends, neighbors, and strangers.”

After the funeral, an update was provided on the fundraising status.

“Because of the love Tony and Angela gave so freely throughout their lives, this community came together and achieved everything we set out to do,” according to a written post from Dec. 12 on the page. “Together, we were able to honor them with dignity, lay them to rest, and give their children a gift that came straight from their parents’ hearts — peace, relief, and the reminder that they are deeply loved and never alone.”