Obituary of Carl M. Spinelli Jr

Carl M. Spinelli, Jr., aged 82, of Rochester, NY, passed away on May 4th, 2025.

He is survived by his children, Carla Jean, Carl, and Christina; his brother, Michael and sister-in-law, Cecilia; and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mary, and his sister, Marie.

Born on July 8 in Rochester, NY, Carl exemplified the value of hard work. He passed that on not just through words, but by example – showing up early, staying late, and always doing the job right.

He was unwaveringly dedicated to the business he and his brother built. Their custom stainless steel boat propellers were works of art that gave people endless joy on the water. “Good enough” didn’t cut it. Carl and Michael built their success through determination, excellence, and grit.

He could fix anything and everything, and he invited his kids to help. In doing so, he passed on not only his skills but a work ethic: get your hands dirty, figure it out, and take pride in doing jobs yourself.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Carl escaped snowy winters for sunny fishing trips in Florida. He was a charming people person, quick to laugh, and always ready with a practical joke. He held a quiet but steady appreciation for those who visited or called just to say hello.

Carl loved classic cars, and his most prized possession was a gorgeous ’38 Willys pickup. We’ll never forget the roar of its engine, the thrill of the ride, and that he put the pedal to the metal when we begged him to drive faster.

He always had music playing, especially songs from the 50s. He was also a fierce gin rummy player.

Please meet us on May 21 at 12:30pm at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Main entrance, 2461 Lake Ave, Rochester). Carl’s celebration of life will begin at 1 PM, followed by a luncheon at Shamrock Jack’s Pub (4554 Culver Rd, Rochester).

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you think of him warmly during your next DIY project – or when you lend a hand or pass on knowledge to help someone complete a project they’ll be proud of.