October 22, 2011

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Beloved mother and grandmother, Anne Marie Antonelli, 89, died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 21, at her home while under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County and her family. 

She was born Anna Marie Piazza at 160 Breen Ave. in Watertown on Oct. 11, 1922, the daughter of Anna M. Tubolino and Benedetto Piazza. 

She had previously lived for 29 years at 527 Coffeen Street. In the 1920s, the family lived at 1019 Arsenal St. until the home burned to the ground in February 1928, at that time she attended Boon Street School. Shortly after, the family moved to a farm on the Watertown-Sackets Harbor Rd. and at that time she along with her siblings attended the country school house at Baggs Corners. The farm was lost during the depression and by 1932 the family migrated back to Sackets Harbor where she attended Sackets Harbor Elementary School. The family was home schooled in religion by their mother, Anna.

The Piazza family settled on a fertile piece of land in Sackets Harbor along the Military Road where both home and barn were built and a thriving business selling produce was established. In the late 1930s, lush gardens along the Military Road allowed the family to subsist by selling fruit, vegetables and cheese in Sackets, Clayton and as far away as Watertown; this brought a profitable income sold mostly by her brothers Tony, Angelo, James and Dominic. 

She married Joseph L. Antonelli on Oct. 19, 1941. at St. Anthony’s Church with Rev. Claude Sechi officiating. 

She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Loretta A. and Gerald A. Story, Calcium; a son, Benjamin H. Antonelli, Rochester; two grandsons and a granddaughter-in-law, Jerry A., Jay and Lisa, three great grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan and Michelle, all of Watertown. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph who passed away December 13, 2003 and by siblings of the Piazzafamily two sisters: Marie Piazza (died at 4 years), Mary Hudson, TX and four brothers: Dominic, CA, James, TX, Anthony, NY and Angelo, NC. She is survived by four sisters: Virginia Walsh, Kalamazoo, MI, Johanna Cronin, Palo Alto, CA, Lucretia Adair, Watertown, NY and Esther Daly, Orange Park, FL. 

Her career began in the mid 1930s taking care of the children and cooking for the families of Majors and other officers at Madison Barracks. She worked at the Box factory in the 1940’s and later for the Grand Union. In 1970, she was hired by P&C and would retire from there in 1990 but would come out of retirement in 2005 at age 83 and return to the deli where she had worked previously. Anne was very competitive and won contests throughout her career as she was voted by Grand Union customers as best clerk in the 1950s. She won numerous contests at the P&C for having consistently increased sales at the deli. 

Apart from working, which was her passion, she devoted herself to her family. She filled the lives of family and friends with gifts and chicken soup. Her hobby was cooking where she specialized in Italian Easter breads and Italian cookies. 

The determination and warmth she brought to all endeavors and relationships will be missed by the many who loved her. 

A graveside service will be held noon Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Lakeside Cemetery in Sackets Harbor with Rev. Richard Kennedy officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the angels at Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St., Watertown, NY. 

Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. 

Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com. 

Information provided by D.L. Calarco Funeral Home and Newzjunky.com, Watertown