Amelia Rose Martello
1923-2009
Born: Buffalo, Erie, New York
Died: Amherst, Erie, New York
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Amelia Rose Cambria, who was the co-owner and head chef at Cambria's Of Course Restaurant and other Italian restaurants in Western New York for nearly three decades, died Wednesday under hospice care in Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Amherst. She was 85. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Born Amelia Rose Martello in Buffalo to Frank and Millie(nee Maggiore)Martello, she graduated from St. Mary's Business School.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><br><span style="font-size: medium;">During World War II, she mailed out packages of cookies to random soldiers fighting overseas. One of the lucky recipients was Louis Cambria of Buffalo, who, after eating her delicious baked goods, announced to his friends that if he ever met the woman who made those cookies, he would marry her. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">He remained true to his word, and they were married Feb. 7, 1946. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1962, the Cambrias opened their first restaurant, Cambria's Of Course on Fillmore Avenue at Jewett Parkway. Mr. Cambria welcomed the guests as Mrs. Cambria whipped up her savory sauces and handmade an array of Italian delicacies, from her famous deluxe antipasto plate to a sumptuous seven-course pig roast.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><br><span style="font-size: medium;">The Cambrias' daughter, Carolynn, also worked in the restaurant business with them. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">The Cambrias then ran a restaurant in a Niagara Falls hotel for a short time. They then opened Cambria's Old Spain, which featured singing waiters, in the Theater District, and two other Italian restaurants on Transit Road. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">After retiring in 1992, the Cambrias left Buffalo and moved to Amherst. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout her life, Mrs. Cambria enjoyed doting on her large, but close, extended family. She and her husband were also very active in St. Margaret Catholic Church. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr. Cambria, who also served as Buffalo's commissioner of labor, died in 2002. They had been married for 56 years.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs. Cambria is survived by her daughter Carolynn M., and a brother, John Martello. </span><br><span style="font-size: medium;">Prayers will be said at 8:30 a. m. Saturday in Lombardo Funeral Home, 885 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 in St. Margaret Church, 1395 Hertel Ave.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>