Joyce (Parry) Semeraro

Mrs. Joyce (Parry) Semeraro, 78, went home to join her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven, at her home, with the love of her family in her heart, Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

Joyce’s father, Stanley, passed away when she was 11 years old and her mother, Cecelia, when she was 15. After the death of her mother, she resided with Charles and Rozina Timmany (her mother’s sister). Joyce was always indebted to her aunt and uncle for providing her with a home and keeping her on the “straight and narrow” road until her wedding day. On July 4, 1962, Joyce married the love of her life, Cosmo Semeraro. They met at a St. Francis dance, when Joyce was 15 and Cosmo 16. Their marriage led to the blessing of two wonderful sons, Mark Louis and Greg Philip. Cosmo and Joyce had a special marriage, which they both believed was God-ordained. Although their life together had its share of difficulties, they always felt blessed to have each other and shared a love not commonly found in this day and age.

Joyce graduated from UFA in 1961, and went on to work for the New York Telephone Co., until their son, Mark, was born. Several years after the birth of their son, Greg, she helped Cosmo operate his family’s business, Gracie’s, on Tilden Ave. The store was well known for the “homemade” Italian sausage it sold, along with penny candy and gadgets for children. After the store closed, Joyce was employed by the ARC Oneida-Lewis Chapter NYSARC, Day Services. She truly valued her position at The ARC, loved what she did, and always gave her best for the organization. She retired in January 2013, after 30 years of service.

Joyce was always ready to go to the flea market, antique show or garage sale, and was proud to show off her latest “find”. Her home was furnished with many “retro” items that she so enjoyed collecting. She truly enjoyed people and loved to play cards as a pastime.

She is survived by her two precious sons, Mark Louis Semeraro, and his wife, Monica, and Greg Philip Semeraro, and his wife, Kate Clyne. The Lord blessed her with two grandsons, whom she cherished, Mark’s son, Daniel Louis Semeraro and Greg’s son, Ethan Semeraro, of Penfield. Also cherished are her two great-grandchildren, Kennedy Glenn and Owen Nicholas Semeraro, children of her grandson, Daniel and his wife, Brynn. She also leaves a sister-in-law and friend, Loraine Kotary, and her companion, Lenny Cummins. Loraine was the wife of her late brother, Tom. Last, but certainly not least, she leaves many good friends, too numerous to mention, but you all know who you are. Joyce cherished each and every one of you and told you so. These old friends and new ones enhanced her life after the loss of her soulmate, Cosmo, and provided her with hours of enjoyment, no matter how small or big the event. Joyce’s mother, being one of thirteen children, made it possible for Joyce to have many cousins. She cherished her time with these individuals and truly loved them. Joyce also leaves several nieces and nephews. Always in her heart was the memory of her younger brother, Tom Kotary, who passed away in 1995; her older brother, John, who passed away in 2015; and Cosmo’s parents, Martin and Grace Semeraro. Joyce would be the first to tell everyone what wonderful in-laws they were; always there for Cosmo and his family.

Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours or service. Instead, each person who is inclined to do so, is asked by Joyce, to provide an act of kindness to someone in need, in her name, and thank the Lord for her life. She loved the Lord and felt very blessed and rich knowing that she would someday be with Him because of her belief in Him. Please read John 3:16.

Joyce had a special bible verse that she truly lived by and always found great comfort and strength from the day she first read it. It was Proverbs 3:5 & 6.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

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