Mr. Thomas J. "Tommy Blue" Bucciero Sr.

UTICA - Mr. Thomas J. “Tommy Blue” Bucciero, Sr., age 88, joined his late wife when he peacefully passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his loving family by his side. Born in Utica on October 6, 1928, Tommy Blue was the son of the late Frank and Julia (Zaino) Bucciero. He was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. In 1946 Tommy Blue joined the United States Army, proudly serving his country in Japan and stateside during World War II. On October 26th, 1957 Tommy Blue wed Jean Marie Aliasso and shared a long lasting love story. Together they were blessed with four children and made 54 years of wonderful memories. Jean passed away on August 23, 2012, and Tom missed her dearly until his passing. Tommy Blue enjoyed a successful career for 40 years, working as a Budget Administrator for the Rome Air Development Center (RADC) at Griffiss Air Force Base. During those years his talents and abilities were notable enough to win him various recognitions and promotions. While working, and raising a family he concurrently attended Utica College. As patriarch, Tommy Blue, was an admirable family man, dedicated dad and role model. He taught his kids, by example, to work hard and treat others with respect. Tom himself worked a second job hanging drapes with Vic Piperata, a job and friendship he enjoyed. Tom and Jean formed an amazing parenting team, creating a loving home to raise their children and stressing the importance of attaining a good education as a primary goal to finding success in life. And for this his kids will forever be grateful. Tommy Blue was an avid sports fan. He loved the Yankees and the Syracuse Orangemen, but had no problem cursing and tuning them out when they were losing. When the kids were young, Tom bowled in Tuesday night leagues, which in time turned into Tuesday night Golf league. Golf was his passion and he continued to play as many times a week as he could. Tom took an active interest in his kids lives and when others told him that he raised wonderful children, nothing made him prouder. He was taken by the love of his grandchildren and he and Jean never missed a special occasion, often traveling many hours to do so. He also offered them guidance which they respected and took to heart. His grandkids knew how much he loved them. Tom created a tradition of attending the Baseball Hall of Fame game, traveling annually to Cooperstown with his kids and over time his grandkids to enjoy a visit and ball game. Nothing made him happier. Tom was a charasmatic guy and had many friends not only in Utica but across New England where some of his children settled. He loved laughter but more importantly, he loved food, that is, food that he prepared. He had a zest for cooking and his sauce was the best (and he would say so himself)! If any of his kids made sauce or a dish they knew he liked, he would “compliment” them “Eh, it was ok”. He famously made Calzone twice a year – Christmas and Easter so everyone looked forward to it and no one made it better. Relatives would line up for a tasting after the clock struck midnight on Good Friday. Celebrating the holidays was important to Tom and Jean, and they prepped and cooked for days. It was not unusual for Tom and Jean to stay up late into the night before a holiday just to cook. When his children moved away, they packed the car and brought all of the Utica staples to their homes where everyone came to know how delicious “sausage in the oil” was. Tom was raised as a Catholic by his parents and continued practicing his faith with his wife and family by honoring the Lord and attending Mass every Sunday as a parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Tom’s religion was important to him as was the wisdom gained through his simple, loving upbringing as one of 12 children. His childhood was so meaningful to him and he never forgot the love of his brothers, sisters, parents and in-laws. He often reminisced and realized that they were the source of the strength that served him so well when he became the patriarch of his family and the generations that followed. Tommy Blue is survived by his children, Thomas Jr. and Carolyn Bucciero, David and Kelley Bucciero, Tammy and Richard Maio Sr., and Debi Bucciero (with whom he was especially close) and boyfriend Ben Donohoe; his grandchildren, Thomas III “TJ” and Liz Bucciero, Jillian Bucciero, Jaclyn Bucciero; Lauren Bucciero, Emily Bucciero; Richard Maio Jr., Alecia Maio, and Danielle Maio; his precious great-granddaughter, Aribella; and his sister, Delores Cahill. He also leaves his sister-in-law Rose Bucciero, Tom and Jean’s canine companion and best friend, “Jake”, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, his Marr-Log coffee group who was made up of lifelong friends and met every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; the late John Aliasso who encouraged Tommy Blue to join him in his passion for bridge after his wife had passed; his family is thankful to his nieces, nephews and neighbors who took the time to check in on him especially over the past few years. Tom was predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Louis Bucciero, Rose and Sam Graziano, Nicholas F. “Chief” and Josephine Bucciero, Frank C. Bucciero, infant Antoinette Bucciero, Nancy Bucciero, Ralph and June Bucciero, Antoinette and Edgar Bonville, Edward J. Bucciero, and Robert F. Bucciero; and his brother-in-law, William Edward “Bill” Cahill. The family extends their gratitude to Mohawk Valley Nephrology Associates, for their medical expertise; Elderchoice staff and many people who were instrumental in helping Tom remain in his home over the past few years; his time spent at the Presbyterian Home Rehabilitation Center, was a beneficial time under the care of Dr. Kodsy; the St. Elizabeth Medical Center 4th and 3rd floor staff, and especially the Palliative Care team for their unwavering compassion and concern in caring for Tom. The family truly appreciated the medical attention and advocacy of all his caregivers. Visitation will be held Sunday August 13 from 2:00-4:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc, 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) online at https://www.cabvi.org; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Thomas’ funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday August 14 at 9:00 from the funeral home and at 10:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta with Military Honors conferred. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Mr. Thomas J. "Tommy Blue" Bucciero Sr.

October 6, 1928 - July 28, 2017