Bessie Pezzula

ALBANY – Bessie Padula Pezzula, 96, of Albany, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, Guilderland.  Bessie was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Bartolomeo and Leonarda Matera Padula.  She was employed as a supervisor by the New York State Office of General Services at the Alfred E. Smith building for many years, and was a communicant of All Saints Catholic Church and the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church.  Bessie was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and used to love listening to Phil (Scooter) Rizzuto’s broadcasts of their games.  Her true passion in life however, was being a homemaker and caring for her family.  She was a mother to many, and a friend to all. Her caring and giving ways touched the hearts of all she encountered. She loved to cook, and was known and loved as a great cook, especially for her meatballs.  After cooking a fine meal, she would often say “it wasn’t the usual,” but it was delicious nevertheless.

Bessie was predeceased by her husband Anthony Pezzula in 2001.  She is survived by her sons Carmine Pezzula  of Niskayuna, William Pezzula and his wife Virginia of Colonie, Anthony Pezzula and his wife Valerie of Colonie and Michael Pezzula of Altamont; her six grandchildren Sheri Sablich (Dr. DJ) of Gansevoort, Michael Pezzula (Melanie) of Huntsville, AL, Melissa Dawes (Robert) of Sand Lake, Matthew Pezzula of Guilderland, Mark Pezzula (Michele) of East Greenbush, and Joseph Pezzula of Los Angeles, CA; her six great grandchildren Vincent and Maria Sablich, Cecilia Pezzula, Parker and Piper Dawes, and Aiden Cohen; her sisters Margaret E. McCarg (George) and Josephine Maio (Anthony) of Albany; her sister in law Marion Pezzulo; and by many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Pezzula was predeceased by her daughter in law Mary Beth Wilson Pezzula, her brothers Charles, Rocco, and Leonard Padula; and her sisters Antoinette Hein, Angie Smith, Anna Lawler, Lena Pioggia, and Mary Alden.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St., Albany at 9:00am.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-8 p.m.  Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Center for Disability Services, 314 South Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Bessie’s resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York  (Zip Code Albany, NY 12204).