ALBANY – Santa Coppolino Pasquini, 80, of Albany, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home on Friday, December 3, 2021. Santa was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Sylvester R. Coppolino and Bessie Aragona Coppolino. She lived in the area all her life, and was a graduate of Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School, class of 1959. Santa worked tirelessly in support of her family and her community. She was employed for many years by the Office of the Mayor of New York City Legislative Office here in Albany, and upon retiring took a position with the Vandervort Group in Albany. She worked for several area department stores part time as well as owning and operating various businesses, among them a pizza parlor, thrift shop, and food cart. She took over leadership of the Society of Our Lady of Tindari, following in her father’s footsteps. She was a member and past president of the Italian American Community Center, secretary to the Eagle Hill Neighborhood Association, member and treasurer of the American Italian Heritage Association and Museum, member of Order Sons of Italy Lodge #321 and also served as a poll worker. On top of her many pursuits, she also loved cooking and baking for all occasions, and was especially known for her exceptional Italian cookie assortments. A beloved Ma, Nonna, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, she will be greatly missed.
Santa is survived by her children Richard A. (Maureen) Pasquini of Guilderland, Michael A. (Sharon) Pasquini of Berne, Joseph P. (Gina) Pasquini, and Christopher J. (Debbie) Pasquini of Guilderland; her sister Ann P. (William) Sweeney of Delanson; her grandchildren: Samantha and Timothy Pasquini, Vincent (Laura) Pasquini and Anthony (Kenzie) Pasquini, Jake and Cole Pasquini, and Amanda, Joseph, Jason, and Michael Pasquini; her niece Elizabeth (Nathan Bain) Sweeney; her nephew Steven (Nicole) Sweeney, great-nephews and niece; dear cousins and many devoted friends.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Friday morning at 8:00 a.m., and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany (behind CVS) at 9:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Thursday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Italian Heritage Association and Museum, 1227 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit HansFuneralHome.com.
Click here to view Santa’s resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY 12204.
Here is a video tribute to Santa:
Steve Woodard
I was so saddened to hear that Santa has passed. I remember her as a vibrant, cheerful person whenever I saw her working in the office of the American Italian museum. Please except my sincerest condolences. Santa will be missed.
Steve Woodard
Bob Schmidt and Carol Hartford
Do not weep for me for I have not gone.
I am the memory that dwells in the heart of those that knew me.
Therefore, the wise weep not.
But rejoice at the transformation of my Being.
The loss of a Parent is never easy, it takes time and love to grieve.
Your Mom was the foundation of a wonderful and loving family, a gift to us all.
She lives on in all of the lives she has made better by her gift of love.
It was a blessing to us to have known her.
Bob and Carol
Ann and Greg Weijola
Joe, Chris and family,
I was so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. She was a big part of the neighborhood growing up. I feel like I’ve known her my whole life. She will be missed.
I can’t imagine how hard it has been for you guys. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Briana Marra
The Pasquini Family,
Santa had such a sweet soul. I remember playing cards with her in the back yard and she always had the biggest smile on her face. May she rest in peace. My family and I have you all in our prayers, please accept our deepest condolences. You have our love and support.
With love,
The Marra-Katz Family
Nick Giminiani
To Mike Pasquini & family
So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing.
Condolences to the entire Pasquini family
Jim Toomey
Rich,
So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.
Condolences to you and your family.
God Bless.
Jim Toomey
Dina Ariemma
Ann,
I am sorry for your loss of your beloved sister, Santa. I know there will be a void in your earthly life, but Santa will be guarding and smiling on you from above. She was such a sweet, funny person, kind to everyone that she can only be in Heaven now.
Theresa Viva
I was blessed to have Santa consider me a friend. I miss her more than words can express. We spent many a nite talking for hours about the Muesum & the thrift shop. She leaves an unfilllable void !
Her smile filled a room. She loved her family beyond measure. My heart is broken! Prayers and condolences to her family.
Roy & Rachel Cameron
We have so many fond memories of Santa. We had great fun traveling to Italy with Santa and the group from IACC (led by Rosanna Aiuppa) and participating with her in a wide variety of activities at IACC as well. We thoroughly enjoyed feasting on her famous Venetian pastries. Santa was such a kind, thoughtful, open-hearted person. She will be missed by many!
Ed Sweeney
Ann
Maggie and I are so very sorry to hear about Santa’s passing – our deepest condolences.
I will never forget your wedding: being 13 and dancing with this beautiful (buxom) woman. She left an impression!
Im sorry I will never get a chance to dance with her again…
Mark Oberting
Rich, Mike, Joe and Chris,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Many fond memories of Fountain ave came to mind and they all had your mom and her warm smile and compassionate demeanor in them. Every time I saw her, she had that smile filled with joy and a kind encouraging word to say. I always walked away feeling like a better person after meeting her. She influenced a lot of us and her memory lives on in how we all chose to live our lives. There’s a special place in heaven for a mother of Four boys who turned out to be great men and fathers.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Franca Ricupero
Joe and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words to express the sorrow that I feel for losing your Mom.
Nothing I say or write is going to take your pain away or make things better, but I will say that I did care very much about Santa. She had such strength & knowledge. I know she was an amazing mom to all four of you. You were lucky to have her close in your life and all her grandchildren’s life. Hold on to all those memories, she may not be here today, but her memories will last forever.
May she rest in peace and her spirit live on.
Pamela Pouchak
So sad to hear that Santa had passed. I have many wonderful memories of her at IACC. Thinking of her makes me smile. She will truly be missed. I hope she knew how much she meant to me and how blessed I was to have known her.