RITA MAE (CASSALIA) BONACCIO

Rita Mae (Cassalia) Bonaccio, age 96, of Solvay, passed away on Friday evening, July 12, 2024. She was in the loving and dignified hospice care of Francis House in Syracuse at the time of her death. She was able to live in her own home until July 1, thanks to the dedicated care and support from her children and her three wonderful caregivers, Sharon, Kathy, and Danielle. Rita was born in Syracuse on June 4, 1928, to the late Mary (Palladino) and Sebastian “Ben” Cassalia. Her early years were spent with her parents, brothers, and sister in the home on Avery Avenue in Syracuse that she carried fond memories of into her final days. Rita married the love of her life, Anthony ”Tony” Bonaccio, on May 26, 1956 at St. Cecilia Church in Solvay. In 1960, Rita and Tony settled into their new home in Solvay, where they would raise their four children and where she would spend the next 64 years of her life. After Tony predeceased her in 1997, she continued her faith-filled and independent lifestyle and was truly an inspiration to her children, grandchildren, and everyone who knew and loved her. She graduated from Powelson Business School, and spent her entire career at the family business, Syracuse Barber & Beauty Supply (“the Store”). She was a strong woman, dedicated in the Catholic faith that was central in her life. She loved her immediate and extended families and was especially happy to have company in her home. While not passionate about cooking, she inherited her mother’s skills in preparing terrific Italian dishes – meatballs and braciola were a specialty! She herself was a lifelong devotee of milk chocolate; holidays and birthdays brought a bounty of cookies and sweet treats that she would heartily enjoy. She loved music, played the piano (and loved to tell the story of how she learned), and tapped along on the kitchen table to the music of Lawrence Welk. Rita is survived by her four children: son, Anthony and his wife Connie, of Shelburne, Vermont; daughter, Mary and her husband Robert Green, of Rochester; son, John and fiancée Carol Deninger, of Dewitt; and daughter, Margaret and partner Mary Bolton, of Sammamish, Washington. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Benjamin Bonaccio and wife Carolyn Bauer, of Burlington, Vermont; Nicholas Bonaccio and partner Joscelyn, of Madison, Wisconsin; Matthew Bonaccio, of Syracuse and Thomas (Jenna) Bonaccio, of New York, NY; Joseph Green and fiancée Anja, of Dallas, Texas; Jack Henry Green, of Rochester; and Laura Borate and husband Brian, of Rochester; and Bill Green of Rochester. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In her final years she was helped by many but especially her nephew, Robert, her niece Dennise, and her cousin Theresa. In addition to her parents, Rita is predeceased by her husband, Anthony Bonaccio, and by her four siblings: John “Jack” Cassalia, David Cassalia, Patrick Cassalia, and Frances Palladine. Also predeceasing her are Tony’s siblings: Michael, Dominic, and James Bonaccio; Antoinette VanNamee, Louise Albert, and Josephine Bonaccio. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Avenue in Solvay. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 AM on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at St. Marianne Cope Parish-St. Cecilia Church, 1001 Woods Road in Solvay. Interment will follow immediately at Greenlawn Cemetery, 2932 Warners Rd., Warners. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to St. Marianne Cope Parish Food Pantry, 105 Stanton Ave, Solvay, NY 13209 or Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NY 13208. Please share online tributes and memories at www.bagozzitwins.com.

RITA MAE (CASSALIA) BONACCIO

June 4, 1928 - July 12, 2024