Teresa Bucalo, 86, of 20 Westcott Street, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2013 at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Furci Siculo, Messina, Sicily on November 4, 1926, Teresa was the daughter of Carmelo and Maria (DiStefano) Bucalo. While still in Italy, she was a business owner and professional beautician employing up to three beauticians in her shop. Along with her three sisters, Teresa made dresses for a clothing manufacturer. In 1952, she came to the United States to care for her aunt and returned to Italy to marry her husband Carmelo Bucalo on July 29, 1954. She made her way back to the U.S. after her marriage and the birth of her first son, Paul.
Teresa worked at both the Norwich Shoe Company and the Norwich Knitting Mill for a short time before leaving work to raise her family. While at home, she did seamstress work, making all of her own clothing, as well as designing and making clothing for others. Later in life she ran a daycare center for infants out of her home. During this time, Teresa received a degree as a Licensed Nail Technician.
Teresa was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and an active member of the Rosary Society and Ave Maria Guild. Always charitable, she enjoyed crocheting and knitting for family and friends, always making far more blankets and scarves than her loving family could ever use. Teresa also enjoyed bowling and was a member of several bowling leagues, as well as enjoyed many a game of Bingo and was a member of a small sewing group. She also liked to express her artistic creativity in her home and garden.
She is survived by her husband Carmelo Bucalo of Norwich, her three sons, Paul and Sally Bucalo of Norwich, Rick Bucalo of Potsdam and Carmine Bucalo of Charlotte, NC; two granddaughters, Christie and Allan Gordon of Fairport, NY, Stephanie Bucalo of Buffalo, NY, and a great grandson, Asher Gordon of Fairport, NY. She is also survived by her sister, Agatina Passarello of Sydney, Australia, and Carmela and Santa (DiStefano) Sastri of Norwich and Sherburne, respectively, as well as many nieces and nephews throughout Italy and Australia.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Teresa will be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 10, 2013 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call from 5 to 7 p.m. July 9 at the Wilson Funeral Home. Members of the St. Bartholomew’s Rosary Society will recite the rosary at 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made directly to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at wilsonfh.com.