Mary Ann (Baccari) Venezio

Schenectady- Mary A. (Baccari) Venezio, 90, of McDonald Ave., passed into the arms of the Lord Sunday, February 8, 2015, at her home surrounded by her family after a long illness. The daughter of the late Alfred and Quintalina Baccari, Mary was born in Schenectady on May 2, 1924 and grew up on Carrie Street. She graduated from Nott Terrace High School in 1943, and was a lifelong communicant of St. Anthony Church. As a young woman, she worked at the American Locomotive Company in the Accounting department.She married her husband, Willie, on June 16, 1946. She and her husband started Park Building Supplies in 1946 in Schenectady on Park Place, and later opened two stores on VanVranken Avenue and then on Community Road. Later, the business was moved to Kings Road, where it is run now by two of her sons, Jim and Bob. Mary was a member of the Rotterdam LORE, NYS Builders Assoc., Sons of Italy, and co-chair of the L'Allegro Dance Club with her husband. She was proud to run the dance club, and she worked tirelessly to plan the dinner dances. Mary was a beautiful and wonderful woman. She had a great smile and loved to laugh. Mary was a compassionate woman who put the needs of others before her own. She enjoyed life to the fullest with her family and friends. Family was most important to her. She was proud of her children and the values that she instilled in them. Mary loved cooking and hosting family parties, gatherings and picnics. She enjoyed dancing with her husband, shopping trips, boating on Boston Harbor, casino trips, going to restaurants, music, and spending time with her family and many friends. Survivors include her beloved children, Janice (Winthrop) Knox, James (Carol) Venezio, William R. Venezio, Robert (Carol) Venezio and Linda Venezio; seven grandchildren, Frank Knox, Shari Ventura, Daniel and Michele Venezio, Michael and Joseph R. Venezio and William R. Venezio; four great-grandchildren, Nora and Amelia Knox, Angelina and Nicolas Ventura. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years William (Willie) Venezio, parents, Alfred and Quintalina (Marchetti) Baccari; sisters, Yolanda LaPoint, Sandy Bogdon; brothers, James Baccari, Joseph Baccari. Calling hours will be held Thursday 4-8 p.m. at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin Friday 11:00 am at the funeral home followed by a 12 pm Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church, 812 Union Street, Schenectady. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Kings Road, Schenectady.