Mrs. Angela (Tomaselli) Ogonowski

UTICA – Mrs. Angela (Tomaselli) Ogonowski, age 85, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Born in Utica in 1938, Angela was the daughter of the late Peter and Josephine (Giglio) Tomaselli. She was a graduate of T. R. Proctor High School. One of Angela’s first jobs was as secretary in the office of the late John P. Balio, Esq. It was here that she first met the Hon. Matthew S. Ogonowski, Jr.; they were married on May 9, 1959, sharing over 55 wonderful years together prior to Matthew’s passing in 2015. Angela was a wife, mother, friend and homemaker, and will be remembered by her family and all those whose lives she touched for her smile, her laugh, her welcoming hospitality, her humor, and above all her deep compassion and love for all those who had the fortune to know her. She was a kind and sweet soul who brought love and joy to many, but she would never say that of herself. She was accepting, tolerant and never found faults in others. “The smile” and youthful enthusiasm never left her face and her eyes, and it was contagious. Bonding with young people came as easy to her as connecting with those her own age, as she herself was a child at heart. Angela's husband and three sons were the very center of her life. She was so proud of each of them, and felt blessed to be not only their mother, teacher and confidant but also their very best friend. When the boys didn’t live locally, she sent them mementos of her love and reminders of her humor, especially on holidays. She found joy in taking family trips to places such as the Grand Canyon as well as visiting her boys in college, where they would once again dine and laugh and make silly family skits and pictures which will be forever enjoyed. Angela was very intelligent and naturally curious about the world around her, and her children enjoyed discussing serious issues and current events with her as much as they laughed together. She had a great sense of generosity and truly worked to make the world a better place, and this was reflected in everything she did. Her faith was one of the most central parts of her life. Her deep religious convictions were mirrored every moment in the ways in which she cared for and loved other people, whether her close family, relatives or others she just met. Angela and her husband were also active in their community throughout her life, and she was a member of many local civic and social organizations, including the Daughters of Columbus, the former Sons of Italy, and the Christ Child Society. Angela is survived by her three sons, Mark Ogonowski, David Ogonowski, and Matthew P. Ogonowski. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Gigliotti and Mary's husband Donald; and by her brother, Lawrence A. “Larry” Tomaselli. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Patricia A. (Pacciarelli) Tomaselli; her nieces and nephews, Lori Tomaselli and her husband James Holdgrafer, Gina Tomaselli, Michael Tomaselli, Donna Gigliotti, Donald and Therese Gigliotti, Richard Gigliotti, Christopher and Deborah Johnson, Scott and Deborah Johnson, and Hal Siegel; and several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. She was additionally predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, the Hon. Matthew S., Sr. and Adelaide (Pawlewicz) Ogonowski; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Adelaide and Harvey Johnson; and her niece, Susan Siegel. Angela’s family wishes to extend a special thanks to Caregivers Home Care, for their devotion to her and help over the last several years. Gratitude is also extended to The Community at Sunset Wood and staff at The Pines in Utica. A special thank you is also given to Richard Wielgosz and John Toomey for their kind support over the years. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Angela’s honor may be made to the Thea Bowman House online at www.theabowmanhouse.org/donate; the Abraham House online at www.theabrahamhouse.org/donate; or Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society online at www.anitas-sshs.org/donate; envelopes will also be available at the service. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Angela’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus, 2222 Genesee St. For those who are unable to be physically present, please join the Ogonowski family by observing Angela’s celebration as it is live streamed at www.youtube.com/@JoeSalernoOLOL/streams. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

Mrs. Angela (Tomaselli) Ogonowski

January 20, 1938 - November 8, 2023