Rosemary E. Damico

Rosemary E. Damico, 91, family matriarch of 40 years, passed away Tuesday at her home in East Syracuse. Assisted by companions and caregivers, Vernette Murray and Lissette Delaroco, Rosemary was continuously surrounded by loving family and friends. Mrs. Damico was born on February 6, 1920, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Fava, in Utica, NY, where she lived with three siblings and her grandparents, Tom and Benia Fava. She graduated from Utica Free Academy High School in 1938, before her father moved the family to Syracuse, where she worked as a legal secretary for a large law firm. It was while working for one of the partners, Alphonse J. Damico, that she met his brother. Rosemary married James H. Damico of Syracuse on September 18, 1943. At the conclusion of WWII, she and Ensign Damico raised four sons in East Syracuse, where they built the home that Mrs. Damico has resided in for the last 56 years. Rosemary has been the loving and deeply respected matriarch of the family for the past four decades, since the early loss of her husband in 1972. Rosemary's life centered around family and friends. She loved to cook and entertain and was famous for her meatballs and cookie trays. The daughter of a musician, Rosemary loved to sing, dance and play the piano. Bowling and golf were also her favorite pastimes. She was a faithful and long time member of golf leagues at Green Lakes and Lyndon and bowled in leagues at Fremont and Eastwood Lanes. Always active in the community and church, Mrs. Damico was a former member of St. Matthew's PTA; a former president of the school's Mother's Club; a long time member of the church choir and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the church program for gathering clothes for the indigent. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim; parents, Frank and Elizabeth; sisters, Frances and Phyllis and brother, Tom. Rosemary is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, James and Kathleen Damico of Richmond, VA, John and Joanne Damico of North Canton, OH, Paul and Donna Damico of Rockville, MD and Rick and Beth Damico of Manlius, NY; twelve grandchildren, Christopher, Brian and Kara Damico, Jamie Smart, Lisa Kern, Krista Damico and Joseph Damico, Ricki, Michele, Christian, Gabrielle and Daniel Damico; five great-grandchildren, Robby, Tommy and Joey Smart, Allison and Jeffrey Kern; sister-in-law, Lucille Fava and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday at 9:00 am in the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME and 10:00 am in St. Matthew's Church. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Agatha Foundation, c/o NPT, 165 Township Line Rd., Suite 150, Jenkinstown, PA 19046 or Peace Inc. County East (Food Pantry), 215 W. Manlius St., Suite 2, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

Rosemary E. Damico

February 6, 1920 - January 10, 2012