Obituary of Josephine E. Pilato

Josephine E. "Nana" Pilato, 87, of Lakewood, NY passed away peacefully at 5:04 a.m. Monday (July 18, 2011) following a remarkable battle with cancer. An area resident for the past 17 years, she was born September 3, 1923 in Rochester, NY a daughter of the late Pasquale and Ida Simone LaPaglia. She was the widow of Alphonse Pilato whom she married in 1945 and who died in 1982. She attended St. Andrews Parochial School and graduated from Mercy High School in Rochester, NY where her fondest memories where of the wonderful nuns that taught at the school. The exceptional education she received was of the utmost importance to her immigrant parents and defined the woman that she would become. Unforgettable highlights of her high school years included being an assistant to the May Queen and her role during World War II as Miss Liberty at the Eastman Theatre pageants. She also attended the Rochester Business Institute, and worked at Eastman Kodak as an expediter, material manager and blueprint reader. Following her marriage to Al in 1945, and subsequent move to Holley, NY, she had been employed by the General Electric Company for several years. Although her work experience was very diversified, her proudest moments of life revolved around loving and caring for her family and friends in Batavia and Lakewood, NY. She was an avid sports fan of both professional sports and more importantly as a follower of her grandchildren and their friends during their high school and college years. Her top priority was following Maple Grove High School sports and other schools in Chautauqua County where she knew several players at various schools. She spent many years watching her grandchildren play in the "Gus Macker" Tournament, sitting on the hot blacktop in the blazing hot sun for several days. The highlight of her years as a sports fan came as she watched the girls win the Gus Macker National Championship in Florida. Surviving are a daughter Patricia (Dr. Keith) Kulju of Bemus Point, NY, a son Samuel Pilato of Batavia, NY, six grandchildren Ashley M. Kulju, Brian M. Kulju both of Miami Beach, FL, Allison LeBrasseur of Omaha, NB, Erica, Alexandra, Lisa formerly of Batavia, NY, a brother Anthony (Bernedette) LaPaglia of Marco Island, FL, and also survived by several wonderful nieces and nephews as well as her special friend and caregiver Patti Carlson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday in St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bemus Point. The Rev. Todd Remick, pastor will be celebrant. Entombment will be in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led by Rev. John L. Kuhlmann at 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14701, St.Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, P.O. Box 500, Bemus Point, NY 14712, or Our Lady of Mercy High School, 1437 Blossom Rd. Rochester, NY 14610. Josephine's words to those that she loved were, "Put a smile on your face and a song in your heart".