Josephine Marie Errico

January 22, 1924 - March 24, 2017

Josephine (Jo) Errico passed peacefully among her loved ones earlier this month at her home. She started life in North Beach as Josephine Laino, daughter of Giuseppe Laino and Carmela Dito, who had both emigrated from Calabria, Italy. Jo attended San Francisco’s public schools, and graduated from Galileo High School. Soon after, at Saints Peter and Paul Church in 1941, Jo married Nicola (Nick) Errico, a young Italian immigrant from the same region. Their son Mario was born in 1942 while Nick was serving in the wartime Navy. Son Gregory was born six years later. Brought up with the sounds of their parents’ extensive record collection of Italian songs and operas, both brothers later connected with rock ‘n’ roll legend Sly Stone. Mario, as his valued personal assistant, and Greg, as a founding member of Sly & the Family Stone on drums. Interestingly, Jo’s father had also played drums in the Verbicaro village band. Josephine was a business partner at a clothing store in the Mission/ Excelsior district, and Nick worked as a waiter in San Francisco’s top restaurants. Jo and Nick attended several Catholic churches, and also enjoyed Italian-American club activities. After retiring, Jo and Nick moved into a home on San Francisco’s Dolores Street with an extensive garden, tended by Nick and harvested by Jo for her cooking and floral arrangements. For all visitors, she was a warm and spirited hostess. Besides Nick, Mario, and Greg, Jo is survived by brother Larry Laino and sister Eleanor Ghigliazza, and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family and friends may attend a viewing at 1 pm Friday April 7th at the Italian Cemetery, located at 540 F Street in Colma, Ca. A Funeral Liturgy and Committal will commence thereafter from 2 to 3 pm. Online condolences may be offered at www.vmpandeco.com.