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Carol A. Yarborough posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thinking of you and sending you prayers of strength and comfort.
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Linda Ferris posted a condolence
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My sincere condolences to Mary Lou, my cousins and their families. Uncle Amby's passing was sad news to hear, but I can only recall happy memories of him and any time I could spend at 4 Alexander Ave. while growing up. His dry wit is what I remember most; like when Cindy & I came back to the house to find he had finished painting two wooden chairs and had them drying - one upside down, the other resting on top; kind of intertwined. He tried explaining to us that this was a piece of modern art - - "one chair...struggling with another chair...trying to survive in this world."
To those closest to him, may all your warm memories get you through this difficult time. Love Linda
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Barbara Libertella posted a condolence
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The evening of the day that my daughter Grace passed away, my brother Amby sat across from me at my dining room table. He took a pen and jotted something down on a paper napkin and then pushed it across the table to me. All that it said was: Dear Barbara.
He knew that no words could express the sorrow he was feeling. I've kept that sweet bmoment in my heart and want to say to you:
Dear Marylou.
M
Marion posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I will forever remember my grandpa, my poppy. I'll remember always holding his hand, as a kid, and as an adult. I could never get close enough to him. I'll remember how special he would make me feel when I walked in the room, like he had been waiting just for me. (as a kid and as an adult.) I'll remember how funny he was, (I think I inherited a bit of his wit). I cherish the memories as a kid combing his hair with a black comb, and a cup of water. Every day I picture all of his facial expressions,and sayings, and I pray I won't forget. I'll forever cherish these past 9 years as Poppy got to be Poppy to my children. I am blessed for that. As a twenty-nine year old mother of four, I feel the same way about my grandpa, as I did as a five year old. My heart is heavy knowing he is no longer here, but I am comforted, and am thankful to know I will see him again one day.
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blakely posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I saw Grandpa when I went to New York. We had a lot of fun. I will miss him very much. We slept upstairs. We also played Upwards. I love you Marylou and Grandpa. Love, Blakely
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James Behrmann posted a condolence
Monday, September 20, 2010
Rest in Peace and may God make room for you in his Heavenly home.
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w jones posted a condolence
Monday, September 20, 2010
We were so sorry to learn of your Dad's passing. I tried to sign the
guestbook and didn't have any luck in sending it.
Mary Lou (my wife) is out of town visiting her newest Grandson. When I got
home this weekend from Albany I called her and told her your Dad had passed.
She is due home this weekend and will call Mary Lou (her cousin)
I remember a very enjoyable day when your Dad, Mary Lou and her sister came
upstate to visit us during the time we were remodeling our kitchen.
Would you please convey our condolences to Mary Lou, and my Mary Lou will
call her when she gets home.
Thank you-
T
Tara Fusillo posted a condolence
Sunday, September 19, 2010
For my Grandpa... I remember coming to your house in White Plains.Some of my fondest childhood memories were at that house in White Plains. I loved spending the weekends and holidays there with you and Grandma. You guys took such great care of Ross and I when our Mom passed away. You were always such a funny Poppy. Then Marylou came into your life and your life changed..she was such a perfect match for you. We are extremely lucky to have her in our family. When I moved away to Arizona, I always missed those special Christmases we shared. I missed and still miss my family back in NY. I am so happy that B and I came to see you in April..you were still your funny self! B loved that trip. I will miss you with all my heart...till we meet again. I love you, Poppy. I love you too, Marylou. Tara
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Rhondda Hardy posted a condolence
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Dear Mary Lou,
Blessings on you and family. Ricky is a friend from the old neighborhood when we grew up in NY. Prayers for your loved one and for you. . .
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George Curry posted a condolence
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sincere condolences to your family.
George Curry(retired)
Shield #50
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Richard Fusillo posted a condolence
Sunday, September 19, 2010
My Dads Eulogy 16 September 2010
I had the honor and privilege to be asked to deliver the eulogy at my dads funeral service on 16 September. He died on 12 September. The following is what I delivered:
On 27 dec 1923 Beatrice (Pecoraro) Fusillo and Leonard Fusillo became parents to my dad whose given name is Ambrose. Ambrose is a name derived from a Greek work meaning immortal. When I discovered this only a couple of days ago, it gave me a bit of comfort.
Ambrose, aka Amby, was and always be my dad. And I am proud to be his son.
Loss of a loved one is never easy. But I think this is a time to celebrate my dads life. Id like to do so by reflecting on a little history because I want to reflect on who my dad was and what he accomplished in his life. His roots are very, very Italian
like meat balls and spaghetti and veal parmesan, but not like the Sopranos.
My dad attended battle hill elementary school in the late 1920s and 1930s. after battle hill he moved on .to white plains HS. He graduated in 1941. In his younger years he was kind of thin and lanky making him prime meat and eligible for the HS basketball team, which he became a part of. I have no history of whether or not he was a starter
but Ill bet he was. I discovered yesterday he was a starter
way to go, dad.
After graduating HS, WWII was raging. My dad attended aeronautical school in Yonkers, NY which prepared him for a job at he GM plant in Tarrytown, NY where he was on a team that made wings for our countrys military planes. Then war knocked on his door.
My dad was drafted in Feb of 1943 into the Army Air Corp. His boot camp was in Upton, LI. Then he was sent to Miami Beach for Air Force training. After this training he was off to Shepard Field for gunnery training. His military future would find him in the tail of a b17 bomber as a tail gunner. He was a 19 year old kid about to be scared out of his underwear
those were his words to me when I asked him about his war experience
as most of you undoubtedly know those were not his words verbatim
his words were a bit more colorful.
After all his training he was sent, in 1944, to England as a member of the 388th Bomber Squad. He was one of a 10 member crew who flew 30 successful mission. He and his crew flew of Germany dropping bombs on our enemy. They also dropped care packages over France. Great job for a kid
god bless you dad. I find this kind of interesting with all his flying experience in the war, since on my 1st commercial flight with him in 1963, he was terrified
wouldnt even peek out the window. Go figure
dad was sometimes a mystery to me. Flying 30 missions was seen as quite a feat during WWII. As a result of these missions he received a plaque that I can still remember hanging in our basement family room at 4 Alexander Ave .. he was a proud member of the Lucky Bastards Club. And he was very lucky to survive the war
just a kid who did so much for our freedom.
After his distinguished service he was furloughed to Atlantic City, NJ. He spent 2 weeks at home in WP and then was reassigned to fort Thomas, KY, then to Fort Lockbourne in OH.
But while in Fort Thomas, Cincinnati was just a stones throw away
and I now this is not about me, by my beginning was on the horizon. Thats because this is where my dad and mom met. Im not certain of the precise circumstances, but it was probably a USO kind of happening. This is where he met Marion Ross, my mother to be, daughter of Grace and George Ross.
History tells us that the meeting went well because in June of 1945 my mom and dad were married in Cincinnati, OH. Dad was still in the service but was honorably discharged on Halloween night in 1945.
My mom and dad then left OH and headed to WP to live with my grandma and grandpa Fusillo. I know the transition was tough for my mom, but she had my dad with her
the good-hearted, hard-headed Italian.
Just out of the service dad needed to find work. He started as a cab driver in WP then he applied for a job at the at the WP Police dept. This is where my dads career began. On New Years eve of 1945 he became a police officer working the streets of WP. Law enforcement did, in many ways, force him to see the darker side of humanity. I think it was because of his job that he caught me red-handed coming home from Sears with a pair of stolen pants
he checked the tags and discovered they were not properly tagged. Needless to say, I caught hell and was gently encouraged to return the stolen pants and offer my mea cope to the store management. Dad helped me end my days of crime. Praise god. Dad retired with dignity as a WP police dept detective in 1967.
When I grew up on Fisher Ave, the projects, and 99 Trenton Ave in WP, I can remember my dad always working at least 2 jobs. He did all he could do to put food on the table and to ensure my mom and my siblings had all we needed, and in most cases all we wanted. Thanks, pop.
I have to admit, back then I did not appreciate my dad. Our relationship was strained in the early years. In my mind all his misgivings overshadowed his goodness
an error of youth. I only appreciated the good man he was after 50 years of life as his son. I wish I could have reached this point sooner. Better late than never. Im just happy to have been able to reach that point
for both of us. It turned my life around and I know it brought him pride and joy.
Ive grown to love and appreciate my dad. He was a good man with a kind heart. In the last 15 years I have developed an honest, loving bond with him. I have discovered his love was always there, but I could not see it and appreciate it. But I now happily feel it and know it for its goodness. This enables me more easily accept his passing.
My dad experienced, along with his offspring, a great loss in 1980 when his wife, my mom, Marion Belle (Ross Fusillo), died. The good news is what was waiting around the corner for him. Her name was Mary Lou and she is now his widowed wife. She has been a blessing to our family, and more importantly, to my dad. Mary Lou introduced dad to pieces of life that, to that point in his life, were foreign to him
lots of exciting traveling, concerts on the beach, parades, family bonding events, the mind bending, brain boggling game of Upwards, and other fun things that enhanced his life. She is and has been a bonding spirit in our family. I know that on behalf of all dads family I can say thank you and God bless you, Mary Lou!
Dad started a happy new life in Bayville with his bride, Mary Lou. A happy new chapter was underway. For, I believe, 27 years they had a wonderful life as partners. In the 1980s dad became the dedicated care giver to his dad, my grandpa. You were a fine, loving son. Thanks for that too, dad.
As Ive already reported, I did not always appreciate my dad. I suppose youth sometimes shields itself from the reality that is true. Looking back I can now honestly see what truth was. It was my dad and all he was and all he did
for his family, for his friends, and for everyone he touched that made him a good man. He had his demons to deal with, but he ultimately overcame them. This made all of us so very proud, and it made him a man of courage. Against all odds he was a winner. Good job, pop.
Dad often had a tendency to be a little rough around the edges. He was hard-headed and often opinionated, but was always able to inject humor and mirth into a serious moment to help lighten its impact. Despite his hard-headed, Italian way, he was often a ray of sunshine in a storm. His levity was often the sweet cream on the cake of heartache and disappoint. This is a piece of him that lives on in me. And I am grateful for that. I came to realize dad was a kind of diamond in the rough.
He passed on to me a number of idiosyncrasies , most of which hopefully turned out to be good traits. There is one that is perhaps genetic
its definitely Fusillo
patience, or the lack thereof. Example: when I have to wait for an extended period of time in a doctors waiting reception area, I set a time limit of accessability. When it elapses, I quietly inform the receptionist that if I am not taken in in the next 5 minutes
in dads words, Im outa here. Thanks, dad
I think.
It took me 50 years to be able to tell my dad I love him. But for the last 15 years I have told him
every time I spoke with him. It has been difficult for him, being raised in the 1920s and 1930s
I love you was not something a parent told their child, or a child told their parent. Im happy to say that dad came around to being able to express his love. This meant a great deal to me, and I am certain to him as well
way to go, dad.
I am very proud to be Ambrose Fusillos son. He was always there for my mom, my brother and my sisters. He did it all the best way he know how
with a few bad turns along the way, but on the whole, a good straight shot. There may be critics to how he lived his 86 years, 9 months, and 16 days. But there are most of us who grew to realize the good man he was, and the better man he became. He may not have known it, but he taught me a great deal about living in this life.
Im glad I was able to visit my dad back in may when he was still his sparkling self. He was spitin and sparkin just like the good old days when he was weller. I am thankful for many things related to my dad and his final days. I am so grateful to MaryLou for the dedication and love she consistently gave to dad. I am also thankful to my baby sister, Jan, and my son (in-law), mike and their daughters, Danielle and Marion for their everlasting care and devotion to my dad. You all made him realize he was important and special
first-hand
which he definitely was.
Im glad I got to really know you, dad. It makes your passing easier for me.
Death is a part of life on this earth. The final page of the final chapter. I believe what is important is what all the preceding pages held. How the journey unfolded. Thats what really counts. Despite some bumps in the road, all part of the human condition, dads journey was, in my astute opinion, a very fine journey. Those he touched along the way were blessed. And he turned that final page with true courage and dignity. Im proud of you, pop.
I wasnt sure how to close. But it came to me when I thought living in the southwest for 12 years amongst many a cowboy. Within their ranks is a sentiment that I think is very apropos because I think it also reflects my dads life
dad, you had a good ride. I love you and I always will.
Rick Fusillo
16 Sept 2010
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Cynthia Fusillo posted a condolence
Sunday, September 19, 2010
For my dad. You taught me how to be creative with the simplest of things. Thank you for your love and sense of humour(an integral part of my life today) YOU have provided me with lots of material for my creative process, with interesting stories and anecdotes. You are responsible for the "artist in me" coming out ;for the open mindedness I have nurtured thanks to your accepting of "all kinds of people" and appreciating the underdog .thank you... I will miss you and send you light always.
your daughter,
Cynthia
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John A. Neil Sr. posted a condolence
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sincere condolences from my entire family. PEACE
Ret. Sgt. John Neil
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Jeanne Giacobine posted a condolence
Saturday, September 18, 2010
My memories of Ambi will be forever bound up with the Christmas holidays. Year after year, he opened his home so generously to me and my children so we were able to celebrate Christmas day in the heart of our family. He went through life with kindness and the best ever sense of humor. He will be greatly missed!
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Ola and Thomas Lombardi posted a condolence
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Dear MaryLou, Family, and Friends, We are sad to hear of Grandpa's passing. We loved him dearly and we will miss him. Sincerely, Ola and Tom
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Michael Ferris posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
I am very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I know your loss is great as he was a great man. I always looked up to him and as a young boy remember being awestruck by his presence in his police uniform. I have very fond memories of my Uncle Ambie. Of times spent at his home in White Plains and field trips to the police station and one very unforgettable memory of being locked in a prison cell for an unnervingly extended period of time - something about a lesson I was supposed to learn. He always had his special way and I am forever indebted to him for the formative part he played in my life as a child. May you find comfort in God's presence as you walk though this difficult season and know that my prayers are with all of you.
Warmly,
Michael Ferris
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Barbara DeClementi posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Your Core Laboratory Family has made a donation in memory of your loving husband Amby. Please accept our sympathy on your loss. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Bob Stallone, Dr. Crawford and the Staff of NSLIJ Labs