I’ve gotten two tips about an article on Carroll Gardens Diary about Vincent Raccuglia of Raccuglia & Son Funeral Home (on the corner of Court & Sackett in Carroll Gardens). “Mr. Raccuglia has been in the neighborhood for a long, long time.  I think the community would appreciate getting to know him,” wrote one of the tipsters. The following is an excerpt.

If Caputo bread bags are one of the more recognizable items in Carroll Gardens, then Vincent Raccuglia is one of the more recognizable faces.  He’s that handsome, older Italian gentleman who dons slacks and a fedora, tipping it to say “Hello, neighbor” when someone familiar rounds the corner.

The corner is Court and Sackett, and Vincent has been running it for years. When I blow in from the cold one morning, I ask him how he’s doing. Vincent kisses my hand and doesn’t hesitate.  “Nice.  Just like the way you look.”

I flashback to his father, Philip Raccuglia, in the late 80s, early 90s, sitting outside the funeral home, watching cars from a folding chair, wearing the same fedora, smoking his cigar, and biting down on it to give me a wink.

Charmers, those Raccuglia men.  Like the flaws in your sidewalk, some things just remind you of home.