Obituary of Vera Baranello

Vera Quattrocchi Baranello, 100, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 7 in Hospice care at the Edward L Wilkinson Residential Healthcare Facility following a brief illness.

Vera was born in Amsterdam on January 10, 1921, the sixth of nine children to Archimede and Maria Marinelli Quattrocchi the original proprietors of Herk’s Tavern on Bridge Street. Vera graduated from the Wilbur H Lynch Senior High School, class of 1938.  Following graduation, she studied cosmetology at Diamond’s hair salon.

 

On June 1, 1941 she was united in marriage to Alfred J. Baranello of Brooklyn.  While residing in Brooklyn, Vera worked as a sales associate in the women’s department at Abraham and Strauss.  Recognized for her keen eye for fashion, management offered to promote her to buyer.  However, with the birth of daughter Judith [Judy], Vera became a stay at home mom.  In 1949 the family relocated to Amsterdam where twin sons, Thomas A. [Tom] and Alfred T. [Fred] were born and Vera continued her role as a stay at home mom.

 

Vera was a talented and sought after seamstress and did alterations for several years at the family home on Academy St. Her customers often brought special occasion outfits to Vera for her opinion before making a final purchase.  She created beautiful outfits for herself and Judy, including Judy’s first communion dress and veil and her prom gowns. She also made outfits for Tom and Fred, including three piece vested Easter suits.  Albeit at a slower pace, Vera was seated at her sewing machine well into her nineties.

 

Alfred and Vera supported and assisted their sons at Fred’s Auto Enterprises Inc. on Market Hill including the weekly banking until Alfred’s passing in 1998.

 

Vera was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.  She was a former member of the Christian Mother’s society and the Mt. Carmel Seniors.

 

She became a resident at Hillcrest Spring Assisted Living Center in 2018.  She continued her flair for fashion with a complimenting scarf for each daily outfit.  She enjoyed and participated in the variety of activities provided for the residents.

 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her loving son, Tom in 2012.  She was also predeceased by all of her siblings, Ida Rosatell, Emil Quattrocchi, Inez DiMezza Moore, Alexander Quattrocchi, Herman Quattrocchi, Celia Dantini Iannuzzi, Anna Battisti and Jayne Dantini.

 

Vera is survived by her devoted daughter/best friend Judy [Nick] Cassetta, son Fred Baranello, daughter in law Deb Baranello, grandson Michael Cassetta and great grandson Colton Cassetta “the little guy.” Several wonderful nieces and nephews also survive.

 

The family would like to thank Dr Fedullo and the staff at the St Mary’s Healthcare Acute Rehabilition Center for the wonderful care given to Vera. Also, thank you to the second floor staff at Wilkinson and to Hospice for their care and dignity provided to Vera during her final days.

 

Services are private. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, February 12 at 11a.m at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church with Father O. Robert DeMartinis as Celebrant.  The Mass will be Live Streamed on the BRBS Facebook page for those who wish to attend.  Burial will be in the family plot at Mt Carmel cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Vera’s memory to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, 39 St John Street, Amsterdam NY 12010.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home.  Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com

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