Obituary of Bert W. Camarata

Bert Camarata Obituary

May 22, 1943 - December 30, 2023

Bert Camarata, 80, of Williston Park, NY, died peacefully on December 30th, after suffering cardiac arrest three days earlier. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones. 

He is survived by his spouse of more than 50 years, Corinne (Liva) Camarata, son Christopher (Kathleen) of Huntington Station, daughter Lauren of Brooklyn, grandaughters Liva, Caleigh and Nova Camarata of Huntington Station, sister Anne (Camarata) Smith of Freehold, NJ, and brother Charles Camarata of Colts Neck, NJ.

Born at Flower 5th Avenue Hospital in Manhattan, Bert spent most of his childhood with his brother and sister Anne and “Chuck” in Colts Neck, NJ. His father Anthony was of Sicilian background, and his mother Julia was of Ukrainian background.  He attended Freehold Regional High School and went on to attend and graduate from Rutgers University. It was while there that he met his future wife Corinne.

He was an outstanding high school athlete, excelling in particular in gymnastics (competing against Annapolis) and baseball.  He also played football.  While in college, Bert developed a lifelong love of tennis, something he passed on to his children.

His many interests included music - especially opera, instrumental and chamber music, and classical guitar; art - he finally got to create his own abstract paintings after he retired; and sports - an avid NY Yankee fan; history and science. Bert also had a great love for good food, especially Italian, and was a total wine enthusiast.  He was a lover of ties, and clothing, hats, beauty and color. A kind and loyal friend, Bert radiated enthusiasm and energy. He was knowledgeable about and could converse on just about any subject. He loved meeting, learning from, and interacting with people.

Bert’s long work career was in the area of workforce development, first for New York City, and then with the U.S. Department of Labor. He loved his work and his colleagues and had an unstinting commitment to excellence.

Devoted to his family, especially his wife, children, and grandchildren, Bert’s love for family extended to, as he would say “the whole mishpocha.”

Bert and Corinne shared many common interests, especially in the arts and lifelong learning. They enjoyed vacationing in Montauk and on the north fork with their family, traveling to Italy, and spending time with close friends and extended family.

“How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night become the touches of sweet harmony.”