Obituary of Wanda J. DiCaprio

Mrs. Wanda J. DiCaprio, 93, of Amsterdam, NY died peacefully on Saturday, November 12, 2022 surrounded by her family.

A lifelong city resident, she was born on February 26, 1929 the daughter of the late Stephen and Helene Spickler Lucas.  She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Institute and later worked for New York Telephone Company and Verizon until her retirement.

On October 8, 1950 she married the love of her life, Francis E. “Buddy” DiCaprio Sr.  That union was blessed with 53 years of marriage until his passing on August 18, 2003. Together they raised a family, and operated the family business, DiCaprio’s Diner and Caterers’.

Wanda was a lifelong parishioner of Historic St. Mary’s Church, where she sang in the choir.  She was also a member of the Columbian Auxiliary Bowling League, The Sacandaga Boating Club where she was a First Mate and Officer and the Verizon Pioneers Club.  Above all, she loved her family and friends.  She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her husband Buddy, she was predeceased by her siblings, Theodora “Teddy” Meyers and Chester Lucas; her son, Frank E. “Frank“ DiCaprio Jr., her great grandson, Liam DiCaprio; and her second love, Robert Curtis.

Survivors include her son, Thomas S. DiCaprio Sr. and his wife Diane; one daughter-in-law, Rosa DiCaprio; her sister-in-law, Sandra Lucas; seven grandchildren, Thomas DiCaprio Jr., Stephen (Rebecca) DiCaprio, Jennifer DiCaprio, Ninochka DiCaprio, Francis “Troy” DiCaprio, Danielle DiCaprio (Nick Church), Krystal DiCaprio; three great granddaughters Robin, Margo and Scarlett.

A Prayer Service will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 10a.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam follow by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11a.m. at Historic St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY with the Rev. Martin Kordell, CRL as celebrant.  Burial will follow St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Johnson, NY.  

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 4p.m. until 7p.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com

Memorial contributions in Wanda’s memory may be made The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org, Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078, Ronald McDonald House Charities, 139 S. Lake Avenue, Albany, NY 12208 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the medical staff at Albany Medical Center 5D East, Palliative Care and Mountain Valley Hospice for their compassionate care.