After serving in the U.S. Navy Cingari spent the next 67 years, first as vice president of Grade A ShopRite Supermarkets, and in the early '80s, rising to become president and CEO, a position he has held to date.
He also served on the board of directors of Wakefern Food Corp.
Cingari was born Aug. 14, 1929, son of the late Salvatore and Rosa D'Allura Cingari.
Cingari's many qualities included being a driven and successful entrepreneur, a natural born leader, an excellent negotiator, and a sincerely compassionate and loyal friend.
He was very involved throughout his professional career in community service.
He served as chairman of the Yale-New Haven Hospital Eye Research Center Advisory Board He was a member and past president of the Darien Lions Club, and a past president of the CT Lions Eye Research Foundation of which he was a founding member.
He also served as Lions Club 23a district governor and represented the CT Lions on the Fidelco Guide Dog Program.
Cingari was awarded the Helen Keller Knight of the Blind Award.
As a longtime member of the Umbrella Club of Stamford, he was given Lifetime membership status. He served on the Corporate Sponsorship Committee, as director of Strategic Planning, and was a senior advisor to the board of directors.
This past spring was recognized for his long-standing support of the Diocese of Bridgeport and was awarded The Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great by his Holiness, Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport.
He is survived by daughters, Susan G. Cingari of Boca Raton, Fla., and Karen R. Cingari of Stamford, his former wife Christine "Chris" Cingari of Stamford, his brother Salvatore "Sam" Cingari, Jr. of Stamford, and his companion Marthalou "Marti" Bruno of Hampton Bays. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Rocky was predeceased by his siblings Catina Cingari Sciaba, Dominick P. Cingari, Joseph Cingari, and Mary Cingari Cutugno.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford.
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