Obituary of Josephine "Josie" Terricola

ST. JOHNSVILLE – Mrs. Josephine “Josie” Terricola, age 89, a lifelong resident of St. Johnsville, New York, passed away Tuesday morning, May 28, 2019, at Mountain Valley Hospice House, in Gloversville, New York, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Her loving daughters have always been with her and there for her.

Josie was born on December 31, 1929, in St. Johnsville, the daughter of the late John and Carmella (Terranova) Palma. Josie was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart of 64 years, Phil Terricola, on June 4, 1950, at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, of St. Johnsville.

Josie graduated as Valedictorian from St. Johnsville High School in 1947 after being crowned queen to Phil’s king. Josie attended Mildred Elley Business School upon graduation. She worked at several local businesses, but spent over 20 years as Village of St. Johnsville clerk/treasurer. She retired in 1982 and at that time became a trustee for the Village of St. Johnsville. After completing her term as trustee she became mayor and implemented several projects to improve the Village such as the marina and the street flags. Last year she was honored at the 2018 Springfest annual parade as Grand Marshal.

Josie enjoyed many hobbies such as sewing, decorating her house, travelling in their RV and spending time with her family and friends. She was instrumental in bringing the National Polish Catholic Church to St. Johnsville after the Roman Catholic Church closed its doors in 2010. She and others worked tirelessly along with Pastor David A. Johnson to make this a reality.

She is survived by her daughters, Phyllis (Don) Johnson and Linda Terricola; her granddaughter, Wendy (Jason) McGrath; and great-grandson, Henry Philip McGrath. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lena Terricola; niece, Connie Terricola; nephew, Terry Terricola; and several cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Phil; her brother, John “Buttsy” Palma; and brother-in-law, C.J. Terricola.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday June 1, 2019, at 1:30 PM from The Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street, in St. Johnsville, New York, with Father Rafal Dadello, officiating. There will be calling hours on Saturday prior to the start of the funeral service at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until 1:30 PM. Josie will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband Phil at St. Johnsville Cemetery in a private manner that is convenient to her family.

In lieu of floral offerings, it is the wish of the family that memorial donations may be made in Josie’s name to either the Catholic Church in St. Johnsville or to St. Johnsville Ambulance. The funeral home will have a convenient area to do this on Saturday or you may contact the funeral home staff for other options to assist in doing this.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of the St. Johnsville Bassett Center with very special thanks to Dr. R. Curtis Mills and to the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice especially mentioning Russ.

Arrangements have been completed with Funeral Directors Harry J. & Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia serving the family (518) 568-2300. An online memorial page in honor of Josephine Terricola has been established at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.