Gioconda Vecellio, 98
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Gioconda Marie "Connie" Vecellio, 98, of 127 River St. died Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on May 30, 1915, daughter of Antonio and Antoinette Bove Cioffi, she moved to Troy, N.Y., with her family and attended St. Mary's Parochial School. She also attended schools in Wilmington, Del., and Hoboken, N.J., until the family settled in North Adams in 1928 and she attended local schools.
Mrs. Vecellio was employed as the manager of the Food Service Program at McCann Technical School until her retirement in 1976.
She was first employed with the former Petri Dry Cleaners, Wall-Keller-McKie Tie Shop, Wall-Streeter Shoe Co. and Sprague Electric. She was then the manager of the East School (now Sullivan) cafeteria for four years.
She was a communicant of the former St. Anthony of Padua Church and was a former member of its Rosary Society and a volunteer at its annual bazaar. She enjoyed cooking.
Her husband, Pio Leo Vecellio, whom she married Feb. 3, 1940, died on Oct. 11, 1998.
She leaves three daughters, Elena Morelli of Pittsfield, Lorraine Sweeney of North Adams and Diane Sprague and her husband, Geoffrey, of Topsham, Maine; a son, Michael C. Vecellio and his wife, Cheryl, of North Adams; six grandchildren, Lisa Morelli, Linda Morelli, Donna Morelli, Michael Morelli, Robert Sweeney and Jacqueline LaCosse and her husband, Richard; five great-grandchildren including Julia Tully, Rickie LaCosse, Matthew LaCosse, Jessica LaCosse and Katelyn LaCosse; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
The last of her immediate family, she was predeceased by her son-in-law, Donald Morelli and two sisters and two brothers, Philomena Cioffi, Elena "Ann" Dubie, Pasquale Cioffi and Michael Cioffi.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mrs. Vecellio will be Monday, Feb. 10, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church or the charity of the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.
Mrs. Vecellio's family would like to thank the staff at Sweet Brook Care Centers and give a very special "thank you" for the exceptional care and compassion at Berkshire Medical Center.