Fortunata "Lucky," "Fortchy" (Vecchio) Miller's Obituary
After 91 years well lived Fortunata “Lucky,” Fortchy” Vecchio Miller passed to her heavenly home with family and loved ones by her side. She is predeceased by her husband Edwin “Fast Eddie” Miller, her mother Emanula DiBona Vecchio, Father Salvatore brothers Santo, Tony, Louie and sisters Mary and Grace, granddaughter Kristy Miller, grandparents and many Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends.
She grew up in Eastwood in a large Italian family. She loved eating all of her mother’s delicious cooking and spent time with her grandmother who lived with them. Her grandmother shared stories about the family’s time living in Sicily. Her mother’s pasta stuffing is now a beloved family tradition.
When Lucky started school she did not speak English, making it difficult to make friends and learn the material. She was happy to graduate early and start working. Her first jobs included being a soda jerk at a local drugstore and elevator operator at Edwards department store in downtown Syracuse where she began her collection of hats. Lucky wore hats frequently when she dressed up or went to church.
While working at Peter’s IGA she met her husband of over 50 years, Edwin. Lucky spent most of her career at First Trust and Deposit Co that later became KeyBank. She held many positions there including being a teller, working in installment loans and collections. She retired in the mid-1980s from KeyBank.
While retired Lucky loved to spend her mornings going to church, praying the rosary, going for long walks from her home on the Northside to Shop City or East Syracuse to visit her friend Gloria, stopping for breakfast along the way. Her family and friends could always count on her prayers.
Before their move to live with their daughter Patty and son-in-law Bruno, Lucky and Ed spent many years enjoying their home, neighbors, family and friends. They took many trips, had parties and holidays at home, babysat for grandchildren and great nieces, went out to dinner most Fridays and breakfast with the gang on Sundays.
For the first few years living with Patty and Bruno Lucky kept her walks up and going out to breakfast in the new neighborhood. The last 7 years of her life Lucky lived peacefully with dementia continuing to do many of the things she loved to do. She was able to stay at home due to the caregivers she had and her family is grateful.
She is survived by her sister Helen, daughters Nina Widlund (David), Diane Colozzi (Bob) and Patty Schirripa (Bruno) and son Eddie Jr. Grandchildren Justin, Jason, Katlyn, Brennan, Zachary, Jason and Marco, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews including Dr. Robert LaPointe and Melanie Segars.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 8:00 A.M. in the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME followed by a mass of Christian burial at 9:00 A.M. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 E. Onondaga St. Syracuse, NY 13202. Burial will follow at the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Syracuse. Family and friends may call on Monday, October 7, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the funeral home 3401 Vickery Rd. (Corner of Buckley Rd.) N. Syracuse, NY 13212.
In tribute to Lucky feel free to wear your best hat if you will be attending any of the services and when you think of her.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Lucky.
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