Obituary of Josephine Hassfurter

Town of Glen, NY-Mrs. Josephine "Josie" Hassfurter, 89, of the Town of Glen, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, entered peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, surrounded by her loving family at the home of her beloved daughter, Teresa Sowle. She was born in Amsterdam on October 9, 1927, daughter of the late Benedetto Vassi and Luisa Gravagna Nicosia Vassi. Josie was united in marriage with John Hassfurter, Jr., on July 2, 1949 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Amsterdam. John passed away on September 15, 1999. Josie was of the Christian Faith. In her childhood, she grew up on the south side of Amsterdam and then moved to Providence, Rhode Island, New London, CT, Jacksonville, FL and New Orleans, LA. In 1969, she moved back to Fort Johnson, NY and has lived in Glen with her daughter, Teresa Sowle wife to Mike Sowle, since 2000. Josephine was a full time mother of eight. She considered this one of the highest paid jobs in the world in any field since the payment is pure love! She called children "poor man's gold". As you can see, she was very rich. Josephine was truly defined by her morals and values, steadfast love, unwavering dedication and unquestioned support for her family. Family came first followed closely by good friends and many cups of coffee around her family kitchen table. She was always surrounded by the laughter of children and the smiles of babies her entire life. She was truly blessed. Josie enjoyed watching the soap opera, Days of Our Lives. She loved all the celebrity gossip and entertainment news in the Enquirer, Star, Globe and People Magazines. She also enjoyed solving the most difficult Sudoku puzzles. Survivors include eight beloved children, John Hassfurter, III and wife Jackie of Hagaman, Charles Hassfurter and wife Diana of Hagaman, Joseph Hassfurter of Hagaman, Louanne Van Schaick and husband Dave of Scotia, David Hassfurter of Fonda and fiancé, Diane, Bernard Hassfurter of Fonda, Teresa Sowle and husband Mike of Glen and Maria Wolff and husband Jonathan of Hagaman; nine beloved grandchildren, Cindy Gray (Derek), Vanessa Elbrecht (James), Ashley Moller (Jeff), Fallon Walton (Jason), Kyle Van Schaick, Jennifer Wilmot (Ronnie), John Michael Sowle, Morgan Wolff and Jonathan Wolff, Jr; she took pride in her eleven great grandchildren, Krystal Nielsen, Brayden Moller, Wyatt Wilmot, Evan Gray, Cameron Moller, Addison Elbrecht, Keagan Walton, Ella Gray, Eva Wilmot, Mia Walton and Edie Gray. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Josie was preceded in death by four brothers, Benedetto Nicosia, Salvatore Nicosia, Frank Vassi and Charles Vassi and by five sisters, Theresa Peconie, Nancy Fiorillo, Angeline DeStefano, Antoinette Orapello and Benedetta Fiorillo. The family will be present at Betz, Rossi, Bellinger and Stewart Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam to receive relatives and friends on Friday, Oct. 14th, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. Josie's funeral will commence at 10:15 am on Saturday, Oct. 15th from the BRBS chapel where prayer will be offered and at 11:15 am from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 39 St. John St., Amsterdam where the Rev. Lawrence J. Decker, pastor officiating. Procession will follow to St. Michael Cemetery, Amsterdam where she will be laid to rest in the family plot. In lieu of floral offerings, Josephine requests that you do a random act of kindness toward another human being in remembrance of her and our newest Saint, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. A special thanks to Josephine's caregiver, Sally Romano of Hospice and to the Community of Hospice of Amsterdam. Also, a special thank you is extended to Dr. Peter Diamond and Dr. Robert Droege along with Father Decker for his spiritual guidance. To offer online condolences or directions to the funeral home, please click to the left.