Philip Paul Torraco

Philip Paul Torraco, 92, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, Sunday, May 21, 2023, in the Hickory House at Sitrin Healthcare.

Philip was born in Utica, September 8, 1930, son of the late Filippo and Marianna (Perritano) Torraco.  He was educated in local schools and a graduate of TR Proctor High School. Following high school, Philip served in the USMC, at the end of WWII, in the South Pacific.

On December 10, 1966, in Bernalda, Italy, Phil was joined in marriage to the former Cosimina Zito. They have shared over fifty-six loving years of marriage.

Phil was an oil technician, for Mohawk Valley Oil Co., for many years.

Everyone who knew Phil always recognized his wisdom and kindness. He could fix just about anything and often served friends and family as their personal electrician, plumber, TV & video repairman, and eventually computer tutor. If he did not know how to do something, he took time to figure it out. Philip enjoyed serving friends and family with his wisdom and advice. 

Philip spent many years of his life dabbling in varied hobbies and interests.  We will always remember his great love of Italian opera which he had blasting at various times of the day; and getting an enormous telescope and going out in the middle of the night to see the stars on Albany Hill. He enjoyed computers and video technology and took many videos and pictures for his friends & family. 

Phil was no stranger to humor and always made jokes with everyone he encountered. He loved to make people laugh and feel welcome in his presence. His joyful spirit will be sorely missed by family, friends and even brief acquaintances. 

A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Phil is survived by his wife, Cosimina “Mimi” Torraco; his son, Philip A. Torraco, Utica; his daughter and son-in-law, MariAnn and Frederick Gattelaro, Plano, TX; grandsons, Matthew Philip and Nicholas Bernard Torraco, and their mother, Heidi and Frederick S. Gattelaro III, Samuel Philip and Patrick Paul Gattelaro; nieces, Marianne Torraco, Michele Torraco, Emanuela Tattarrano, Brandi Reilly, and Beth Anne Torraco; nephews, Joseph Zito, Albert Zito, and Manuel Tattarrano; and long time friend and neighbor, Eddie Cichello. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bernard and Virginia Torraco, Anthony Torraco, Joseph and Cindy Torraco, and Cosimo and Paul Torraco.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors, Wednesday, May 31st, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. 

This service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRI8jSelT_VXTGn1d5kpUxg

The family will greet visitors following mass. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Philip's name to the National Autism Association of North Texas at https://www.naa-nt.org/donate/

The family would like to offer their gratitude to a sweet friend,Nancy Kissel and also the staff at Sitrin Nursing Home, for their compassionate care of Philip during his final days. 

You Tube Family Video https://youtu.be/pzZ6RxLba7k

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