Barbara Jean (Gross) Iorio

Barbara Jean (Gross) Iorio, 91, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully at her home on August 21, 2025, five days shy of her 92nd birthday. Barbara was born in Endicott, NY to Melville and Mildred (Chase) Gross. Soon after graduating from high school, Barbara set out on her own and moved to Syracuse, New York, where she lived for the rest of her life. In 1953, while at a local dance, she met her future husband, Anthony Iorio, a young man who had recently emigrated from Italy to the United States. Marrying in 1955, they soon began a family and in 1960, founded the Iorio Tile and Terrazzo Corporation, in which Barbara served as vice-president and bookkeeper. They ran this company together for nearly 35 years, growing it into a business that employed upwards of 20 people. In addition to being a loving and devoted mother of four children, Barbara was a life-long learner. She became nearly fluent in Italian, took classes in ceramics, and, as Barbara had never had the opportunity to attend college in her youth, enrolled at Onondaga Community College receiving her Associate of Applied Science degree in Art. The Iorio household was soon filled with her sketches. Upon retirement, Barbara and Anthony spent winters in their West Palm Beach home, where she enjoyed weekly bridge games, luncheons at the club, neighborhood walks and sitting by the water with a favorite book. Summers were spent in Syracuse, where Barbara enjoyed the company of her friends and family, by whom she will be sorely missed. In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her brother, Ronald Gross, her husband, Anthony, her grandson, Christopher Warga, and her son, Geno Iorio. Barbara is survived by her sister, Shirley (Harry) Miller of Dewitt, one daughter, Angela Warga of Daytona Beach, two sons, Anthony Iorio of Dallas and Jim (Jennifer) Iorio of Chicago, one daughter-in-law, Margaret Iorio, five grandchildren, Vicki (Anthony) Holley, Joe (Michelle) Iorio, Nicolo (Liz) Iorio, Anthony Iorio, Jr., Gus Iorio, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., immediately followed by a funeral service in celebration of Barbara’s life at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd., (corner of Buckley Rd.) N. Syracuse, NY and a procession to Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum, Syracuse, NY.