IN MEMORIAM: Josephine Croce, 96;

Moved To County From Staten Island

ONEONTA – Josephine Croce, 96, of Oneonta, whose husband was Wilber Bank branch manager in Oneonta, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, at Chestnut Park Rehab & Nursing Center.

She was born on April 28, 1922, in Brooklyn, the daughter of James and Elsie (Abruzzo) Maceli.  She married Alfred Croce on Nov. 12, 1949. He predeceased her on May 27, 2008.

In 1971, Josephine and her family moved from Staten Island to Worcester. Staying there 25 years, she eventually settled in Oneonta in 1995, where her husband had retired as Wilber Bank branch manager in 1985.

She was a member of St Mary’s Church in Oneonta as well as a former communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Worcester. Josephine enjoyed reading, crocheting and is fondly remembered by her family as a wonderful cook.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine (Jeffrey) Wiltsie of Oneonta; her son, Alfred (Janet) Croce Jr. of Sayville, Long Island; four grandchildren, Alfred J. (Beth) Croce III, Kyle (Veronica) Croce, Justine Wiltsie and Jeffrey (Amber) Wiltsie; two great-grandchildren, Madeline and Cate Croce; and a special niece, Mary Croce and her daughter, Serenity.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 9 to 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 24, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta. A Mass will be celebrated immediately following at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta.

Burial will take place privately at the convenience of the family in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine’s memory are asked to be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences to the family may be made online at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.