Vickie Camechis Corradino was born on April 10, 1932 in Tallahassee, Florida. Her parents, Elena Semander Camechis and Vic Camechis immigrated from Patmos, Greece, the small Greek Island where the exiled Apostle, John, wrote the ‘Revelations.’ They had 6 children, Jimmy, Anna, Mary, Katie, Johnnie and Vickie. They were one of the first Greek families in Tallahassee where Vickie’s father started the first Greek restaurant, the Busy Bee. He died in December of 1932, 8 months after Vickie was born. Vickie’s mother, Elena, spoke very little English and did a marvelous job of raising 6 children under difficult circumstances. More Greek families immigrated from Patmos which resulted in a sizable Greek community in Tallahassee. Vickie spoke fluent Greek and had an excellent childhood. She graduated from Leon High School in 1950 where she was a majorette in the band which had an exciting trip to perform in New York City. She always remembers one of the football game halftime shows which featured her in “Alice Blue Gown.” She was selected as the ‘Best Dancer’ in her graduating class. She also was honored as a member of the court in the big ‘Annual May Party’ complete with the Southern Antibellum Dresses. She did an outstanding version of ‘Salome’ in costume with her ‘belly dance’ which she performed at family gatherings and Greek parties. Vickie participated in gymnastics training at Florida State University and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. She worked at a local bank before becoming a cashier at the 7 Seas Restaurant. This is where she met George Corradino who was working his way through college at FSU as a waiter. He knew most of the Greeks in town and they would invite him to all of the Greek parties. They all spoke Greek, did all of the Greek dances, and always had plenty of the wonderful Greek food and pastries, so, he really enjoyed the parties. Of course, Vickie was always there and would always do her famous ‘Dance of the Seven Veils.’ George joined the U. S. Air Force in January, 1951 after which he and Vickie became engaged. On August 26, 1951 they were married in Tallahassee. The wedding was a typical “Big Fat Greek Wedding” just like the movie. It was long and hot complete with bridesmaids, groomsmen, Cumbara (Vickie’s Godmother), exchanging crowns, a big reception at the Tallahassee Country Club with great Greek food and pastries and the 14 piece “Bob Cole” big band. For their honeymoon they did all the sights in Florida to Miami and back with the highlight being a special performance for them in a night club in Daytona Beach by the famous singer, Mel Torme. The honeymoon continued for 3 years in the Air Force. Memorable experiences included waking up every morning before dawn to the sounds of jet fighter planes taking off from the flight line right from across the road from their apartment; a murdered wife in the next apartment; George’s after hours combo “The Quintones” playing many gigs in various clubs and on the Panama City Beach strip; quick trips to Miami driving all night on two lane roads on a weekend pass; living in a new thirty foot house trailer and going back to Tallahassee for a college quarter for George to complete his degree at Florida State University. Vickie and George were married for the second time on December 5, 1953 by a Catholic Chaplain while holding their first-born child, Denise, who was born on November 19, 1953. Vickie and the family moved to Auburn, Alabama in January, 1954, where George became the band and choir Director at Auburn High School for three years, after which he became the first assistant band director and woodwind professor at Auburn University. She had many exciting trips to the college games with the Auburn band playing for the great football teams of the fifties. Auburn is where Vickie had two more children, Marie on November 13, 1955 and Michael on January 3, 1957. In 1957, they moved to Columbus, Georgia where George became the Columbus High band director for four years, then the Band Director at Jordan High, and, the first band and orchestra director at Hardaway High for 5 years. Vickie had her fourth child, Christy on December 19, 1964. All of her children played in the bands at Richards Jr. High and Hardaway High and performed in many cities. Christy was a cheerleader at Richards. Vickie was chosen to be a contestant on a national game show broadcast “Say When.” She flew to New York and had an exciting time in the city, including VIP at Radio City. George became the Director of Music Education over all of the Muscogee County schools from 1970-1990. She really enjoyed and supported all of the many music performances in all the schools. In 1974, when all of her children were now in school, Vickie became a teacher aide para professional for twenty years retiring in 1994. She first taught 3rd grade at Brown Ave. School with Mrs. Danny (Shannon) Amos, then Special Education (severely handicapped) at Rosemont and St. Mary’s schools with Mrs. Charlie (Beth Duncan) Parsons, and finally at Gentian school with Mrs. Rob (Gloria) Garrett. She was an outstanding and dedicated teacher, spending many hours helping everyone. She always received the highest commendations from the principals, teachers, students and parents. She was a volunteer with the Miss Georgia Pageant for twenty years where she was the personal host to many Miss Americas who came to MC the Miss Georgia Pageant and made several trips to the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. She was very active in the Jaycette civic club and still meets with 10 former Jaycettes called ‘the Golden Girls’ at a monthly dinner. Vickie sang soprano in the St. Anne Church Choir 1966-2011 and was the chairperson of the Bereavement Choir which was formed in 1988 and sang for over 120 funerals. She is very active with the Rosary Group which meets often for special occasions. She has great memories of wonderful trips to 17 foreign countries including Alaska, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada (twice), Caribbean Islands (5 times), Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Hungary, Ireland (twice), Israel, Italy (3 times), Mexico (twice), New Zealand, Tahiti, and, Russia. Vickie’s special interests were her family, church activities, attending concerts and shows (she was kissed by Wayne Newton), watching her favorite TV game, talent and dancing shows, Chinese and Greek food, our Destin beach condo, and mostly, caring for George, our 4 Children, 5 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren, 7 Godchildren, and her relatives and friends. George always tells everyone “WHAT A GOOD JOB VICKIE DID RAISING OUR CHILDREN !” To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Vickie C. Corradino please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Vickie C Corradino April 10 1932 January 26 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Columbus, state: Georgia