Philomena "Phil" (Circelli) Ferro

Mrs. Philomena “Phil” (Circelli) Ferro, age 94, of Utica, passed away on Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at the Katherine Luther Home. Born in Utica on June 10, 1913, Philomena was the daughter of the late Raffaili “Raffael” and Filippa (Fusco) Circelli. She was raised and educated locally. On April 27, 1935 she married Benjamin Ferro with whom she shared a blessed and devoted union until his passing on September 22, 1985. During her younger years, Phil was employed by the Oneita Knitting Mills on the assembly line, and subsequently held a position for a number of years with Univac Corp. as a secretary. She later continued her secretarial career in the Science Dept. and Library at Utica College, the position from which she retired. Determined to live life to its fullest, Phil’s vitality and generosity were always focused on her family, and her home was the gathering place for her loved ones for all holiday functions. A creative woman, she was the originator of the Disco Dolls, and she enjoyed teaching line dancing at the local community center and in St. Petersburg, FL while she resided there. In fact, “Phil lived to dance, and danced to live”. In Florida, she also served as a volunteer at a local Hospice unit until she was 92. She was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Sons of Italy, and at one time she was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Phil is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gerald “Jerry” and Ann Ferro of Marcellus, NY; her grandchildren, Ben Ferro of Marcellus, Emily and Jack Stevens of Cazenovia, Deborah and Mark Mahoney, Cheryl Harris, and Karen and Fred Kilmartin, all of Whitesboro; and her great-grandchildren, Jill, Stephanie, Meghan, Erin, Joshua, Knakita, Kaela, and Cody. Also surviving is her sister, Mary Lupia Badger of PA; her brothers and sister-in-law, John Circelli, Joseph Circelli, and Ralph and Patricia Circelli, all of Utica; her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and her in-laws, including her special sister-in-law Peachy Circelli of Whitesboro, who was like a daughter-in-law, and Joseph and Mary Ferro. She was also favored by a dear friend and caregiver, Robert Comstock. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Robert J. Kennedy, Sr.; and her brothers and sister-in-law, Jerry Circelli, Phillip Circelli, Frank and Violet Circelli, and Samuel Circelli, who she raised like a son. In keeping with Philomena’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. By family request, please omit floral offerings. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Phil’s Celebration of Life and memorial service which will commence on Saturday morning, September 22, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 1736 Burrstone Rd., New Hartford, with Reverend Felix Colosimo officiating. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions in Phil’s honor to a charity of choice; envelopes will be available at the service. Entombment will take place in the Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at the convenience of the family.

Philomena "Phil" (Circelli) Ferro

June 10, 1913 - September 4, 2007