Mary S. (LaGuzza) Caiello's Obituary
This obituary was written with love by Mary herself and her oldest granddaughter, Katie:
Mary Signorita (LaGuzza) Caiello passed away July 1, 2022 at the age of 94 in Liverpool, NY. Mary was born December 19, 1927 in Syracuse, NY at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was born the eldest child to the late Giuseppe and Theresa (Tomarchio) LaGuzza who both emigrated from Sicily. When Mary was seven years old, she contracted scarlet fever that almost took her life. Their prayers were answered when Mary made a full recovery. From there, Mary had a lively childhood in Canastota, NY working on the family’s onion farm, going to school and being the wise older sister to her three younger sisters, Sara, Patrina “Patty” (deceased), Margaret, and baby brother, Francis “Frankie”.
Mary graduated from Canastota High School in 1945 and immediately joined the workforce. She quickly made a name for herself as a dependable, hardworking employee. She began working at Dominick Bruno’s Novelty Record Shop and White Elephant Restaurant & Bar. That’s where she met Frank and Marie Caiello, who introduced her to their younger brother Billy as a potential routeman. When Dominick wanted Mary’s advice on young Billy, she said he “sounds very trustworthy” and “has a beautiful head of hair and blue eyes.” That was the start of Mary and Billy.
Mary and William “Billy” Caiello were married on July 4, 1955. Together they had four children: Steven, Sandra (Don), Donald (Susan), and Diane. They not only built a family together but also a business. After years working with Bruno Novelty, Mary and Billy started their own amusement and vending company, B&C Vending. They ran the business over 40 dedicated years together, right up until Billy’s passing in 2009.
Mary and Billy’s house was a home for anyone that walked through the door. Mary made everyone feel loved and welcome, it was always the “more the merrier.” Her heart was fullest with a table of family & friends eating her delicious Italian food. If you “just stopped by for a quick hello”, within seconds a place was made for you at the table, with a full plate of chicken cutlets and macaroni. She was famous for hosting Monday morning breakfast with neighbors and friends, Tuesday night dinners with family, Mother’s Day Brunches, Christmas cookie parties with her bowling ladies, and so many more. Mary was best known for her kindness, her compassion, and her love of life. Perhaps those that felt her love the most were her nine grandchildren who were lucky to call her grandma. She was also blessed to have seven great-grandchildren who loved and cherished her. But you didn’t have to be blood to be family to Mary. Her love was far-reaching and always genuine.
While in her 80’s, Mary was fortunate to have found a loving companion, Bill Luttinger (deceased), who she shared many happy years living on the St. Lawrence River and in Scottsdale, Arizona. Together they enjoyed reading, a nice glass of wine. Bill, as a credited swimmer, was also teaching Mary how to swim.
While in her 90’s, Mary spent her winters living in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico with her oldest son, Steven. To say that Mary loved living in Mexico was an understatement. She adored the many friends she made down there, enjoying breakfast by the pool and dinners at the beachside bar.
Looking back, she was still so humbled that ‘a girl from an onion farm’ could have lived the life she did. Her final days were spent surrounded with family, friends, and granddogs, sharing memories, enjoying good food and playing cards. For every life she touched, she loved each and every person right back. And as Mary would say to all of us so many times, “Bye bye for now.”
A funeral mass in celebration of Mary’s life will take place on Friday, July 8, 2022 at 11 am in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Liverpool. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Mary’s memory to Central New York SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Road, Syracuse NY 13211 or Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.
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