Caroline "Minnie" (Spuches) Cianfrocca's Obituary
Caroline “Minnie” (Spuches) Cianfrocca, 97, was called home by the Lord on the evening of December 24, 2018. Her passing took place at St. Camillus Residential Health Care and was peaceful.
Caroline was born to Italian immigrants, James and Josephine (Tornabene) Spuches in North Syracuse, NY at 6:30 AM on Tuesday, May 10, 1921. The family like many of this era farmed the land for food and income. As farms require many hands the family was appropriately sized at 13 with Minnie, as she became known for most of her life, being the 5th born. Farm life was demanding leaving little time for individual pursuits. The early death of her beloved mother Josephine placed additional responsibilities on the older siblings. Growing up and flourishing in this demanding environment enabled Minnie to develop into the accomplished, multi-talented, sometimes demanding sister, coworker, friend, spouse, mother, den mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and caregiver we were all were privileged to have in our lives.
Minnie met the love of her life Jimmy Cianfrocca while working away from the farm near downtown Syracuse. They were married April 10, 1948 in Our Lady of Pompei Church. They shared life together for 58 years until Jim’s passing on October 10, 2006. During their years together they lived in Solvay, the north side of Syracuse, the south side (St. Anthony’s), Taunton, and later Liverpool. Their years together were filled with impromptu day and weekend trips to interesting places always making friends and becoming completely immersed in the experience. Their love of travel extended well into their senior years.
Minnie was best known for her cooking/baking skills and ability to get food to the table in record time. Anyone who visited was soon greeted with coffee quickly followed by a series of what we now know as “small plates”. Dinner was always an extravaganza usually containing 2 or 3 main courses. She gave her family and guests a level of attention that made everyone feel special. We will all miss her unique welcoming manner but perhaps remember her most for her folksy commentary.
Caroline is survived by her son Gerald, daughter-in-law and best friend Trinky; grandchildren, Nikki (Doug) Morgan, James (Laura) Cianfrocca and Christina (Steve) Beabout; great-grandchildren, Conor, Sam and Madelyn Morgan, James, Samantha and Julia Cianfrocca; brothers, Sam (Rose) Spuches, Greg (Rose) Spuches and John Spuches; sisters, Josephine Martino, Marge Capozzi and Mary Cavalaro; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a funeral mass in celebration of Caroline’s life at 11:00 am in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Liverpool. Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, DeWitt. Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, December 28, 2018 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
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