Former Southampton resident Lucy (née Spero) D’Italia of Huntington died on October 16 at her home surrounded by family. She was 95.
Born December 1, 1913, in Queens, she worked in New York City’s garment district as a seamstress. She married Anthony D’Italia in 1939, and the couple raised three children. In 1961, she and her husband moved to Southampton, where they founded North Sea Plumbing and Heating.
Following her husband’s death in 1979, she moved to Huntington, where she became an active member of the community serving as recording secretary of Organization for Rehabilitation through Training and an active member of the Huntington Senior Club. Later in life, she enjoyed visiting the Helen Keller Services for the Blind where she socialized and worked on craft projects. According to family, she loved life and lived it fully, never losing her talent for sharing memories with friends and family.
She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Tony and Colleen D’Italia of Southampton and Joseph and Jan D’Italia of Indiana; a daughter, Mary Ann Rettino of Huntington; a brother, Nicholas Spero of Queens; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Madeline Cono, three brothers, James, Charles and Dominick Spero, and a son-in-law, Anthony Rettino.
The family received visitors on October 19 at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton, where a parish prayer service was conducted by the Reverend Jeff Madley. A funeral mass, also officiated by Reverend Madley, was held on October 20 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Helen Keller Services for the Blind (Attn: Vi Pollack), 40 New York Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743 would be appreciated by the family.
on Oct 21, 2009