Rose Birchard passed away on December 23 at UHS Wilson Memorial Hospital. Rose is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 61 years, Gene; son Richard and grandson Dylan (Stephanie); son Tony, daughter-in-law Meagan, and grandson Michael; daughter-in-law Debbie, granddaughters Christin (Nicholas) and Alyssa; brother in Pofi, Italy, Carlo Leonardi; brother-in-law Courtland Birchard; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, both here and in Italy. Rose was pre-deceased by her parents in Pofi, Italy, Francesco Ciacelli and Modesta Leonardi; her adoptive parents in Endicott, Anthony and Mary Ciacelli; her son Michael; her brother- and sister-in-law Selden and Arlene Birchard; her sister-in-law Mary Birchard; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, both here and in Italy.
Rose was born in Pofi, Italy. Her father, Francesco, had died when she was three, the family was very poor, and life was hard. Her mother, Modesta, loved Rose so much and wanted a better life for her. She knew the only way was to have her brother- and sister-in-law in the US adopt her. At nine years old, Rose traveled by herself via ship to Ellis Island to begin her new life in America. However, three years after she arrived, her adoptive father, her uncle Anthony, died. She attended Union-Endicott High School and worked in numerous places in Endicott, but it was at Endicott-Johnson, at the Sales Building on North Street, where she met her husband Gene. Rose was a lifelong resident of West Endicott, a parishioner at St. Anthony’s, a devoted and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, a friend to many, and loved by all.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 5 pm at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 306 Odell Avenue, Endicott. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at church Friday from 3 pm until Mass time at 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rose’s memory to the St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, 300 Odell Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.