Josephine Maria (Vitale) Oliverio, 88, of Hamden, Connecticut passed away just after dawn Saturday, January 16, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Carthage, Missouri.
Josephine was born May 29, 1932, in New Haven, Ct. She was the youngest daughter of Mary (Monaco) Vitale and Federico (Fred) Vitale. She leaves her sister Camille Gravante of West Haven and was predeceased by her sister Philomena Gambardella.
She was predeceased by Trio Oliverio, her husband of 63 years, having married him November 29, 1952, at Sacred Heart Church, New Haven. They resided in New Haven, West Haven and Hamden Connecticut. They had four children: one daughter Dina (Andy) Thomas of Carthage Missouri and three sons; Daniel (Susan) Oliverio and Douglas Oliverio, both also of Carthage Missouri and David (Susan) Oliverio of Guilford Ct. She is survived by a plethora of grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Connecticut and Missouri.
Josephine, with Trio were the proud owner operators of the Columbia Mattress and Upholstery Company, originally established in 1927 at 147 Columbus Avenue in New Haven by her father (Fred) and Uncle Joe (for whom she was named). The business moved to West Haven in the summer of 1961 and eventually settled into the former Dixwell Theater in Hamden Ct in November of 1990. Their son David still runs the business in its 93rd year in Guilford Ct. They also owned the Venice Restaurant in New Haven Ct 1989-1995. Josephine graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1950 and was a beautician at the Connecticut Post Hair Salon during the 1960’s. She was a member of Saint Joan of Arc Church and the Italian-American Civic Association in West Haven.
She and Trio were often accompanied by couples; George ‘Skip’ and Brenda Holroyd of Guilford and Angie and John Pacillio of West Haven on numerous vacations as well as their monthly gathering of spirited “setback” card games.
Josephine led a wholesome and fulfilling life, never backing away from a hard day’s work, running an efficient busy household, becoming a great cook and a wonderful mother….. She always said her times raising her children were the best times of her life.
Josephine will be laid to rest at St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven, Ct and a celebration of life will be held in Connecticut at a later date.
