For many years Alfred Caramanico owned and operated Amityville’s first tavern. According to his family, he obtained the 94th liquor license in New York State after prohibition ended. His bar was called the "Amity Tavern" and sat at Broadway and Sterling Place; it changed hands several times and was known by other names throughout the years, including the Brass Rail.

Mr. Caramanico died January 16, 2005 at the age of 91. He lived in the Village for more than 60 years.

One of six boys born to Anthony and Josephine (DeMeo) Caramanico, he and his family moved to Amityville in 1933. During World War II he was employed by Republic Aircraft to support the war effort and operated his brother Mickey’s oil trucking business while he was away serving in the military.

Mr. Caramanico married Marie Russo six months after meeting her and built their own home next to his parents on Sterling Place. They lived there until the early 1960s when they moved to LeBrun Avenue.

He then ran the Amityville Tavern until his retirement. His daughter JoAnn described him as a "counselor, confessor and friend" to all his customers. She remembers him bringing home customers for a holiday dinner when they had no where else to go.

"He was a proud, generous, good man who was devoted to his extended family" said his daughter.

Mr. Caramanico was a member of St. Martin our Tours R.C. Church and the Amityville Masonic Lodge #977 for many years. In his spare time he loved to read court room dramas, watch cowboy movies and spend time with his large family.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Marie, as well as his children: JoAnn DeMeo and her husband Tony of Hewlett; Tony and his wife Charlotte of Montauk, John and his wife Pat of Amityville. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Melanie Schnaars and her husband Thomas of Rocky Point and Cortney Caramanico of Amityville. He will be missed by great grandchildren Ashley and Thomas Schnaars, as well as his sisters Clara Lepicier of Cooperstown and Gloria Springer of Florida; his brothers Ernest (Mickey) of Amityville and Edward of Ridge, New York; as well as by many nephews and nieces.

His sister Helen Nofi and brothers Fred, Jack and Joseph predeceased him.

Mr. Caramanico Reposed at Powell Funeral Home, Inc., 67 Broadway, Amityville. A mass of Christian burial was officiated by Father Richard Stetler at St. Martin’s on January 19, 2005 followed by interment at Trinity Cemetery.