Natalie Caracciolo of Locust Valley, formerly of Glen Cove, passed away on Jan. 27, 2014, at the age of 94. She was pre-deceased by her husband Walter. She is survived by her daughters Diane Jordan Ursprung (pre-deceased by Kip) of Brookline, MA; Jane Armstrong (Jim) of Lattingtown; Liz Krumenacker of Winthrop, MA; Annemarie (Romesh Vaitilingam) of Bristol, England; in addition to her grandchildren Meredith D’Agostino (Mark), Blake, Cordelia (Greg Baer), Lindsay, Brett, Cara and Marco and her nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brother Alfred Tufo and her sisters Carmella and Edith and Julia Sedmak.
Born in Watertown, NY, she grew up in New York City. She was a big band and jazz singer who performed on radio and in nightclubs in New York City from 1937–1942. Known as Natalie Young, she sang weekly on WNEW radio along with hosts Harry Kramer and John Schaeffer. Her career was launched at Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem which led to performances on WNBC radio. Practices with her vocal teacher were at the Studio Towers at Carnegie Hall along with contemporaries Fats Waller and Lena Horne. Charlie Barnett and Sammy Kaye were fellow club performers. Natalie loved her family, friends, gardening, drawing and painting. Her artwork has been exhibited locally. She was fluent in several languages and enjoyed traveling.
Memorial service held at St. Josephat’s Monastery, Lattingtown. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Research Hospital, Hospice Care Network, or Glen Cove Sage Foundation (www.glencoveseniorcenter.com). Interment is private. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Oyster Bay Funeral Home www.oysterbayfuneralhome.com.
