Mrs. Lucy M. (Castano) Talerico

UTICA - Mrs. Lucy M. (Castano) Talerico, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 with her loving family at her side. Born in Utica on December 12, 1925, Lucy was the daughter of the late Thomas G. Sr. and Rosella (Santinello) Castano. She received her elementary and secondary education at local schools attending T.R. Proctor High School. On September 23, 1956 in a civil union performed by a Justice of the Peace, Lucy wed Thomas J. “Tom” Talerico. She and Tom had their nuptial vows blessed before the Lord at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church. This year would mark 67 years of marriage, based on mutual respect and compatibility. They were an inseparable and fun-loving couple. As a young lady, she worked at Rhoades Hospital. It was a very important and fulfilling time in her life as she cared for wounded soldiers. Her attentive and compassionate care made a mutual lifetime impression on them during their road to recovery. During her working years, Lucy was employed as an Electronic Technician with the General Electric Company at the Bleecker Street/Radio/Receiver Plant. She was the highest ranking woman during part of her tenure of over 39 years due to her commitment to furthering her studies and educating herself at MVCC. She retired in 1986 with the admiration of all whom she worked with. As a mother, Lucy emulated kindness, gentleness, and was one of the most compassionate souls her son ever knew. She spoke of only the best in others, and her generous acts will be remembered for many years. Raising her son with virtues and values was one of her greatest accomplishments of her life. Lucy had boundless energy tending to her family and home with delight while always embracing her extended family. She was a master at multi-tasking, and she did it with a humble heart. She was one-of-a-kind, and will never be forgotten. She had many friendships over the years and each one was so important to her. She found time during her youth to take classes at the studio of the late Vinnie Ruggiero Coluzza where she learned tap, ballet, jazz, and many dance moves. Tom and Lucy truly lived a blessed life and they never let any grass grow under their feet. They were quite the dancers, …just having fun, they could entertain a crowd with their Jitter Bug duet! Lucy was a fantastic cook and baker. She was one of the most talented in crocheting a variety of items including blankets, outfits, and decorative accent pieces; and she enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. She was devoted to her Catholic faith as a communicant of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Lucy is survived by her beloved husband, Tom; her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Ruth Castano; and a nephew who was raised like a son, Dr. Robert and his wife Suzanne Fornaro. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; sister-in-law, Shirley Castano; and blessed friends. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Pasquale “Pat” and Stella Castano, Sylvester “Cy” and first wife Antoinette “Tee” Castano and second wife Lillian Castano, Thomas G. Jr. and first wife Mary Castano and second wife Florence Castano, Dominick Castano, and Albert D. “Al” Castano; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Domenica “Toni” and Ned Roberts, Patricia and Gildo “Gill” Pavan, and Eugenia “Joan” Curtis. The family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Kevin McCormick for his medical guidance; the entire staff of the Masonic Care Community, especially the Monroe Household, a remarkable group of professionals who tended to Lucy with such dignity; Social Workers for their services and support; and Rev. Mark Kaminski, Deacon Bill Dischiavo, and Rev. Arthur Krawczenko for their goodness, graciousness, and prayers that were well received. Visitation will be held Thursday morning, March 9, 2023 from 10:45-11:45 at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave., Utica. Lucy’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will follow at 12:00 noon at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Tom wrote a Memoir of their life, a personal narrative based on the highlights etched in his memory: “When my wife and I were invited to Mobile, Alabama, we went to the Inauguration Ball at the Court of the King and Queen for the Mardi Gras Celebration. I rented a tuxedo and my wife a gown to go to the ball. We watched the Mardi Gras, then we went to New Orleans. After that we went to Louisville, Kentucky to see my brother, Al. He took my wife and I to the Kentucky Museum. A short time later we went to Florida to visit our friends, and then to the Bahamas before returning home. Closer to home, we went to places like Old Forge many, many times; also to the Bouckville Antiques and Barneveld craft shows. We also volunteered for the St. Cosmo and Damiano Festival at St. Anthony of Padua for over 60 years. Many times we went to the Atlantic City Boardwalk and casinos, to Florida, to Las Vegas, then back to two weddings in Florida. We also went to Long Island and New York many times to visit my sister and brother-in-law; Oklahoma to visit friends, places like California and trips to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Hawaii. That was Lucy’s favorite! To Puerto Rico, then Indianapolis. Always on the go! Tom sang at the Moose Club, Sons of Italy, American Legion Post #229, and Boston with Big Bands like the Stan Colella Orchestra, as well as Sal Alberico, the Mohawk Big Band; and many times with Jeff Glott, at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs”. *These memories are close to Tom’s heart and will be the reason to keep their love alive.

Mrs. Lucy M. (Castano) Talerico

December 12, 1925 - March 1, 2023