Giuseppa "Josephine" (Persico) Zenzillo

Mrs. Giuseppa “Josephine” (Persico) Zenzillo, age 87, of Utica passed away unexpectedly on Saturday November 24, 2018 at her home with her loving family by her side.

She was born on April 24, 1931 in Tufo, Italy a daughter of the late Alessandro and Rosa Fusco Persico and was educated in Italy. On September 17, 1954 she was married to Anthony Zenzillo in Tufo, Italy a blessed union of 53 years until his passing on July 5, 2008. Josephine and her husband Tony came to Utica in 1956 where they began their career in the bakery business. In 1962 Josephine, along with Tony opened the Original Napoli’s Bakery and in 1990 opened Tony’s Bakery where they both worked tirelessly for many years until their retirement. Josephine also had a love for gardening. She would be found daily tending to her garden with such passion. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose life centered around her family. Her family will miss her dearly, but will hold her memory in their hearts.

Surviving are her beloved daughter and son-in-law Benedetta and Antonio Riccardo; two beloved sons and daughter-in-law Alessandro “Alex” Zenzillo and Jerry, Sr. and Janine Zenzillo; her cherished grandchildren Antonio and Aimee Riccardo, Giovanna Riccardo, Antonio and Jamie Zenzillo, Danielle and Anthony Bevilacqua and Jerry Zenzillo Jr.; cherished great-grandchildren Bianca Rose, Luciano, Dominic and Gianni Riccardo, Giovanni Noti, and Leonardo Zenzillo and Enzo Bevilacqua; two brothers-in-law Natale and Mario Zenzillo and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday morning from 10:30 am until 11:45 am at St. Anthony/St. Agnes Church, Utica. Her Mass of Christian Burial will commence at the conclusion of visitation at 12:00 noon in St. Anthony/St. Agnes Church. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery in their private mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. or the The ARC- Oneida Lewis Chapter. Envelopes will be available. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Josephine’s caregivers Tammy, Danielle, Wendy, Sandra, Karina and Letisha.