Josephine A. Dacquino

UTICA - Josephine A. Dacquino, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 10, 2026, with her loving family by her side. Born in Utica on November 11, 1930, Josephine was the daughter of the late John and Angeline (Fanelli) Altieri. She was a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School, Class of 1948, and later went on to receive an associate degree from Mohawk Valley Community College. She was united in marriage to her husband, Thomas Dacquino, and they shared nearly 40 happy years together. They were blessed with a daughter, Diana, and a son, Joseph. Josephine served as the bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Utica Hydra Matic Service. Summers were spent water skiing, swimming, and entertaining family and friends at their camp on Lake Moraine. In the winters, Jo loved baking daily and spending weekends snow skiing and ice skating with Diana and Joey. Josephine was active in fundraising efforts for St. Agnes Church. She served as PTA president at Albany School and was also a Girl Scout leader. She eventually became president of the Foothills Girl Scout Council. Josephine volunteered at H&R Block and also tutored adults in reading. Josephine was predeceased by her husband, Tom; son, Joe; and brother and sister-in-law, John Peri Altieri. Surviving are her daughter, Diana; nieces and nephews, Cathy and Joe Ducato, Patty and Mike Dispirito; and nephew, David. Josephine was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge. In her earlier years, she participated in synchronized swimming, ice skating, yoga, and earned a green belt in karate. She also enjoyed playing tennis, water skiing, and snow skiing. After the loss of her husband, she embraced life once again by joining the Tyrolean Ski Club, where she met her lifelong friend, Joe Grimaldi. Together, they skied out West every winter, including trips to the Swiss Alps. During the summers, they enjoyed boating aboard Joe’s Richardson boat, traveling through the Erie Canal locks, Oneida Lake, and attending the 2000 Fourth of July celebration in New York Harbor. Jo and Joe, as they were known, also traveled to all of the U.S. National Parks. Josephine’s love of reading and movies during her childhood inspired her to become a world traveler. She traveled to six continents, with Antarctica being the only one she did not visit. Among her many adventures, she climbed the Great Wall of China, cruised along the Nile River and Amazon River, and visited the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu. She also enjoyed game drives in South Africa with her daughter, Diana. Her travels also took her to Russia, much of Europe, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Australia. Every Thanksgiving was spent in New York City with Diana, attending three to four Broadway musicals, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and of course, enjoying the restaurants. Christmases were spent in Miami and on cruises with her daughter. Josephine was a wonderful mother, aunt, and friend to many, especially Joe Grimaldi. She lived a long, productive, and beautiful life and will be deeply missed. The family extends heartfelt thanks to all of the caregivers with Marie's Caregivers, especially Musu, Emily, Leyda, Liz, Lisa, Julie, Bobbi Jo, Cathy, and with a special thank you to Deb. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Josephine’s chapel service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Our Savior Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery, 2407 Oneida St., Utica. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Josephine’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society online at https://www.cancer.org/donate or the Alzheimer's Association online at https://www.alz.org/centralnewyork; envelopes will also be available at the service. This obituary was lovingly written by Josephine’s daughter.

Josephine A. Dacquino

November 11, 1930 - May 10, 2026