Obituary of Christopher Paul Destito

Christopher (Chris) P. Destito, age 54, of Rome, passed away January 21, 2010, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center, with his loving family at his side. He was born March 26, 1955, in Rome, a son of Orlando A. and Angela Longo Destito, and graduated from Rome Free Academy and MVCC. Chris was united in marriage to the former RoAnn Maggiolino, NYS Assemblywoman from the 116th District, on June 8, 1985 in St. Anthony's Church, Utica. He was a member of St. Peter's Church. Chris was a partner in the family owned business that includes the Beeches Restaurant and Conference Center, The Inn at the Beeches and the Savoy Restaurant. He was a member of several community organizations, which includes Past Vice Chair of Mohawk Valley EDGE, and their Executive Committee, founding member and Past President of the Rome Community Brownfield Restoration Corporation. He served as a board member for the Rome Industrial Development Corporation, was a founding member of the East Rome Family Merchants Civic Association. He twice served as President of the Oneida County Convention and Visitors Bureau. In his first term as President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau in the early 1980's, he worked on an action plan to promote tourism in Oneida County, which resulted in the growth of the bureau. In his second term as President of the organization, he worked to establish a partnership between the Oneida Indian Nation and its Turning Stone Casino and Destiny USA to develop tourism for the international market. Chris was a member of the Rome Hospital Board of Trustees, Rome Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy, Rome Family Y and the Board of Urban Renewal for the City of Rome. He was Past Board Chairman of the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, and for 25 years, has been the Chairman of Rome's Honor America Days Celebration. Chris was a former member of the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission, serving an eight county region. He was a key organizer for two major events hosted in the area; Woodstock 99, held at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, and the Empire State Games, which were held throughout the Mohawk Valley. He also was the initial organizer of the New York State Collegiate Rowing Regatta held at Delta Lake State Park. Chris has been honored on numerous occasions for his work within the community. He received several awards from the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce including the Economic Vitality Award for 2005. He also received the Rotary's Paul Harris Fellow Award. Chris, recently had been doing a cooking show titled "Michelina's Kitchen" which aired on WUTR-TV. This unique show visited the home of individuals sharing their recipes, and as they were being prepared, the story of how it became a "family tradition" was shared with the viewers. Chris is survived by his loving wife, RoAnn, and son, Christopher P. Destito, Jr; sisters and brothers in law, Michele and Steve Rowan, and Daphne and Bill Miklovic; brothers and sisters in law, Frank and Jean Destito and Orlando and Toni Lynn Destito; his mother in law, Rose Maggiolino; special friend, Dr. Joe Maldonado; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many wonderful and caring friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Orlando and Angela Destito and father in law, Maurice Maggiolino. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 10:30 AM, at St. Peter's Church, North James Street, Rome. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut, Rome, Saturday 4 to 7 PM and Sunday 2 to 6 PM. The family wishes to thank the staff of the 1st Floor, 6th Floor and CCU at Faxton-St Luke's Healthcare Center, and Drs. Butala, Desai, Alicia DeTraglia, and Eldridge for their care, compassion and friendship during Chris's illness and hospitalization. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Christopher P. Destito Memorial Fund, C/O of Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, 1222 State St, Utica, NY 13502, or Cure Pancreatic Cancer with checks made "In Memorial Tribute of Christopher P. Destito" to The Lustgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.