Mancuso, Josephine
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Josephine “Jo” Mancuso, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Josephine, 90, peacefully passed away Wednesday, August 4th with her son Craig by her side and her sister Gloria singing and praying with her over the phone. Josephine was born October 8th, 1930, to the late Nicholas Salvatore and Antoinette (Francolino) Vasques. In addition to her parents, Josephine was preceded by her brother Dominick Vasques, daughters Mary Ann Mancuso and Kim Dotolo, and her son Daniel Mancuso. She often spoke of how difficult life was after losing three of her seven children, but her unwavering faith that they would be together again and her close relationship with her family,
especially her remaining children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is what brought joy to her life. Education was always important to Josephine, and she was proud of the fact that she received a Master's Degree in Social Work at age 56. Josephine was a devout catholic and active in her church throughout her life. She loved to travel and would often reminisce about her trips to Jerusalem and the “Holy Land”, Italy, Ireland, Alaska, and the Arctic Circle. She was an avid reader who loved to learn, a shopper who loved jewelry, and a walker who was walking the beaches of St. Augustine, Florida within weeks of her passing. But of all the things she loved most, it was her “darling” children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that made her light up.
Josephine is survived by sons Robert Mancuso and wife Yvonne of Friday Harbor, Washington, Craig Mancuso of St. Augustine, Florida and daughters Susan Petruzzi and husband Mark of West Hartford, CT, and
Margaret Harris and husband Richard of Waterford, CT. She also leaves behind eleven beloved grandchildren, David, Richie, Lauren, Jaclyn, Dan, Ayanna, Arielle, Kathleen, Michael, Kara, and Lilyanna and seven great-grandchildren Millie, Niko, William, Alex, James, Austin, and Hudson. We know she will be smiling down from Heaven when her eighth great-grandchild is born to her granddaughter Arielle this coming December. Josephine is also survived by two very dear sisters Gloria Boisvert of Bristol, CT and Mary Rose Vasques of Stuart, Florida. She also shared a special bond with her children's brother Dante Mancuso and wife Kathy and their children Alexis and Marisa of Boca Raton, Florida.
She will be dearly missed and forever in all our hearts. The Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine will be celebrated on Saturday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Patrick, 110 Main Street, Farmington, CT followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington, CT. In lieu of flowers and in honoring Josephine's love for reading and learning, donations can be made in her memory to the World Literacy Foundation via their website worldliteracyfoundation.org. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.,
www.ahernfuneralhome.com.