Sophie D. (Garafolo) Bonacci's Obituary
Sophie D. (Garafolo) Bonacci, 102, of North Syracuse, passed away at St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center on Monday, January 12, 2015. She was born on November 5, 1912 in Syracuse, NY, the daughter of the late Louis and Philomena Garafolo. On April 16, 1935 she married Paul R. Bonacci who preceded her in death in 1991. As a young woman, she was employed by Learbury’s and continued working as a professional seamstress for many notable woman of Syracuse. Sophie designed and created original outfits and wedding gowns for her many clients and family. In her later years, she was an assistant to her husband who was co-owner of Mel-Bon Evergreen Nursery in Cicero. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Liverpool. Sophie enjoyed being with her family and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was also predeceased by three brothers, Frank, Joseph and Anthony Garafolo and two sisters, Carmella Canino and Antoinette Checola.
Sophie is survived by her three daughters, Marge (Peter) Carpenter of State College, PA; Verna Juliano of Burlington, VT and Paula Bonacci , her constant companion and caregiver of Syracuse; six grandchildren, Stephanie (Greg) Swick, Thomas (Laura) Carpenter, Jeffrey (Leigh) Juliano, Tracy (Rodney) Sepich, Maria (Mark) Ribeiro and Kristin (Luis) Llanos. She was also the proud “great gram” of 17 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sophie’s family would like to thank her caregivers, Janet Carberry, Tan McKee, Lori Davis and Kathy Hayduke for their loving care.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Funeral Mass including her cousin, Rev. Louis J. Canino, OFM in celebration of Sophie’s life at 10:00 am in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Liverpool. Entombment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, Dewitt. Calling hours for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sophie’s memory may be made to St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, 477 Grogan Road, Stoneville, NC 27048 or to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
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