Mrs. Philomena A. "Phil" Bosco

Mrs. Philomena A. “Phil” (Passante) Bosco, age 93, of New Hartford and formerly of Mason Street in Utica, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2015 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family and into the loving arms of Jesus, her savior. Born in Utica on July 9, 1921, Philomena was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rosina (Colissimo) Passante. Raised and educated locally, she was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. On January 31, 1942 she married Benjamin V. “Bennie” Bosco; unknowingly, they were wed on the Feast Day of St. John Bosco! They shared unconditional love, mutual regard, and understanding during their 56 years as partners in life. Her loving husband Bennie passed away in June of 1998. Phil took on the maternal role of family care giver and remained at home to raise her children. In her heart and mind, her family’s wellbeing and happiness came before everything else. At the age of 39 Phil enrolled in the Utica School of Practical Nursing, earning her LPN degree. She began her nursing career as a Pediatric Nurse working for 10 years at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital and 10 years at the Oneida County Head Start Program. Phil was a selfless, giving person, by nature. She was a forward thinking woman, strong, courageous, and well ahead of her time. She was eager to learn and try new things, and she enjoyed life every day. One of her highlights of homemaking was cooking in volume, enough to serve the entire family on any given day. Music was important in her life, she was a talented pianist, and she could cut a rug doing the jitterbug. In the summertime, she loved gathering at the family camp on the Black River, always accommodating family members who visited. Memories of those days were forever in her heart. Phil was civic-minded and concerned with the well-being of the community. She helped annually with the Election Polls, Senior Centers, Blood Drives, and transporting the elderly to church. A communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, Phil was a very devout Catholic. Her faith and church community were her cornerstones. She was the last of the daily morning Mass “Morning Glories”. Philomena is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Rose Marie and Henry Taylor of New Hartford, and Marlena M. Bosco of New Hartford with whom she resided; her son, Salvatore B. “Sal” Bosco of Connecticut and New Hartford; and her grandchildren, Lisa and Steve “Louie” Senk of Frankfort, Debra Porto of Syracuse, David Taylor, and John and Jennifer Taylor of Syracuse. She also leaves her nieces and nephews, Thomas and Nicole Bosco, Salvatore J. Bosco III, Madeline and Dick Garofalo, and Connie and Bill Buehler, Sr.; her in-laws, Josephine M. Cefali DeMola of Utica, and Salvatore J. Bosco, Jr. of Utica; and her extended family including the Gorea family and Sandy Bosco. She was predeceased by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Salvatore, Sr. and Mary Magdalena Bosco; and 3 half-siblings of the Fuoco family. The family is grateful to the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. for going above and beyond in blessing Philomena with the dignity of being in her home during her final days. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 12:00 noon -1:00 p.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Philomena’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta. Memorial contributions in Phil’s honor may be considered to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc.; envelopes will be available at the service. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mrs. Philomena A. "Phil" Bosco

July 9, 1921 - March 6, 2015