Carole G. Collea

Mrs. Carole G. Collea Utica Mrs. Carole G. Collea, age 76, formerly of Caroline St., Utica, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Health- care Center with her loving children and grandchildren by her side. Born in Utica on July 9, 1932, Carole was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Reilly) Gagan. She was raised and educated locally and attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and Utica Catholic Academy. Upon graduation from high school she completed several local business courses and was employed at Griffis Air Force Base. On September 10, 1955 she was wed to Charles J. Collea with whom she shared 29 years prior to his passing on January 14, 1985. Carole worked at the Savings Bank of Utica in the life insurance department after her husband’s passing. But her life work as a mother and homemaker was to care for and raise her children. Never one to complain, she was a resilient woman of quiet strength who gave incredible support to her family and instilled great values and morals in her children. A long time neighbor once told one of Carole’s sons that he was so impressed with the love and admiration her kids had for her that what could be better than to know your children thought you were a wonderful parent. It was through her guidance and understanding that she promoted her children’s independence. She was also a very proud grandmother who loved to spend time with her grandchildren and play board games with them. She was an avid card player and loved when the family gathered to play pitch and share conversation. When her children were young she immensely enjoyed vacationing at Eagle Bay every summer. She also valued the memories and time spent at the “Ladies Lodge” in the Adirondacks with Peg Tuttle, Audrey Collis, Barb Whitaker and her sister, Mary. Some of Carole's passions were reading, sewing, and knitting, a talent which produced beautiful homemade Christmas stockings for each of her grandchildren. Carole enjoyed volunteering at the Stanley Theatre and the Lutheran Home. Carole felt you were never too old to learn which was apparent in her relentness thirst for knowledge by attending classes at SUNY’s MVILR with her sister and friends.Carole’s life was centered and rooted in her faith. She was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and more recently a parishioner of Historic Old St. John’s Church. Carole is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law; Ann and Tony King of New Hartford, Katy and Mike King of NY Mills, and Maureen and Tom Fletcher of Sherrill; her sons and daughters-in-law, John and Susan Collea of New Hartford, Dan Collea and his wife, Doreen Amado-Collea of Southbury, CT, and Don Collea of Wolcott, NY; and her grandchildren; Lindsay, Alyssa, and Jillian King, Michael and Hannah King, Nicholas and Lauren Fletcher, Danielle and Luke Collea, and Rylee Collea. Survivors also include her sister, Mary Anna of New Hartford; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins, especially acknowledging Kathy “Gayle” Anna and Jack Anna for the care extended to Carole over the last several years; and Margaret and Dan Harder for over 20 years of their Adirondack hospitality; and her in-laws, Joseph and Ruth Collea, Frank Gaetano, Catherine and Bill Grimmer, Eileen Philo, Frank and Mary Ann Collea, Jerome and Joyce Collea, Marilyn Miner, and Robert and Jean Collea. She was predeceased by her brothers; John Gagan and Bernard Gagan. The family would like to thank Dr. F. Joyce, Dr. K. Nelson, Dr. F. Talerico and Pat Rosati, NP for their care of Carole over the years. Special thanks are extended to the nurses and staff of the 4th floor Telemetry Unit at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center for going above and beyond in caring for Carole. Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00-8:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial donations in Carole’s honor to Historic Old St. John’s Parish Center or the Maryknoll Missions; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Carole’s funeral service will commence on Tuesday morning at 8:30 from the funeral home and at 9:30 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro.

Carole G. Collea

July 9, 1932 - April 7, 2009