Mr. Armando V. Yacco, Sr.

Mr. Armando V. Yacco, Sr., age 86, of Utica, was reunited with his wife when he passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center. Although his passing was unexpected, his loving family was by his side. Armando was born in Utica on February 13, 1925, the son of the late Frank S., Sr. and Carmella (Schilingo) Yacco. He was raised and educated locally. On August 28, 1948 he married the former Beatrice Rose Locascio with whom he shared 58 years prior to her passing on May 30, 2007; their lives were filled with happiness, contentment, and unconditional love. Armando was proud to have worked at the Utica Radiator Company and thereafter at Munson Williams Proctor Institute as the head groundskeeper, the position from which he retired in 1990. Always hard at work, he loved to tinker around the house and yard, remaining active and affectionately known as “Mr. Gadget MacGyver” and “Papa Smurf.” His children admired the love, devotion, and care that he gave so unconditionally to their mom when she was in the nursing home, as well as the love he showed his children and grandchildren throughout their lives. An avid sportsman, he was a bowler for 61 years and played softball until the age of 70 (a game he began in his early 50’s). Armando was also an excellent dancer, time after time requesting “Proud Mary” and “Joy to the World” as accompaniment. However, Country Western music and old Classic movies took precedence as his favorite genres of entertainment. He had some staunch routines, including ordering Regal Pizza on Monday nights after bowling, preparing delicious lasagna for holiday gatherings, putting tinsel on the Christmas tree by hand with precision, selecting Star Bakery doughnuts and rolls, and securing the traditional, ‘must-have’, Italian specialty foods, among them Dino’s Sausage, fried dough, sauce on Sundays, oil & garlic Pasta, and eating out at the iconic Pelliteri Joe’s and Joey’s Restaurant for his greens & beans and tomato salad. Among his repertoire of memorable witticisms were “Wait a while…” and “Fire in the hole!” Armando is survived by his children and their spouses, Diana and Tom Pierce, Denise Buczek, Armando, Jr. and Lisa Yacco, and Deborah and Bill Loomis; his grandchildren, Bill, Melanie, Stephen and Gina, Amanda, Keith, Heather, and Scott Hajdasz; Melissa and Sergio Vallejo, Noelle and Joe Arcuri; Vincent, and Michael Yacco; Jason, and Justin Loomis; 16 great-grandchildren; Kayla, Jessica, Shauna, Joshua, Jonathon, Audrina, Mikenzee, Hailey, Destiny, Gage, Mitchell Hajdasz; Brianna Schafer, Sergio, Antonio, Santino Vallejo, and Joey Arcuri; and 1 great-great-grandchild, Joshua Hajdasz. Also left to cherish his memory is his sister, Mary Diana; his brother, Raymond Yacco; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, in-laws, Antoinette Yacco, Theresa Hahn, Mary Carrock, Richard Hensel, and John Piazza; and his friend, Ray Sypek who gave freely of his kindness and concern to Armando over the past several years. He was predeceased by his sister, Theresa Brasie-Staley; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Anthony and Fannie Yacco, Leo Yacco, Dominick and Antoinette Yacco, Frank, Jr. and Angie Yacco, Sam and Artha Yacco, Donald and Fay Yacco, and Pat “Patsy” Yacco; his sister-in-law, Josephine Yacco; and numerous in-laws of the Locascio family; Francis and Frank Derminio, Salvatore and Angie Sgroi, Vincent Sgroi, Antone and Marian Locascio, Peter Locascio, Anna Locascio, Florence Hensel, Angie Piazza, Rosie Locascio, Josephine Locascio, Bill Carrock, and Bill Hahn. The family wishes to acknowledge the professionalism and empathy of the Utica Fire Department Response Team, and the valiant efforts of the staff of the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center Emergency Department. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00-5:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Please refrain from floral offerings. Armando’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Monday morning at 9:00 from the funeral home and at 10:00 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where his Mass of Christian burial will be offered by Rev. Anthony P. LaFache. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mr. Armando V. Yacco, Sr.

February 13, 1925 - November 9, 2011