Josephine Longobardi

Longobardi, josephine Josephine (Josie) Longobardi, 91, of 70 Southwick Ct., passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2013, at Yale New Haven Hospital, St. Raphael's Campus. A former resident of West Haven, she was born in New Haven on December 17, 1921 to the late Aniello and Antoinette Miranda Longobardi. Josie lovingly assumed the duties of family caretaker tending to the needs of her parents and two sisters, Mary Longobardi Caliendo and Lucy Longobardi Sitro, who predeceased her. She was one of nine siblings including the late Frank, John, Angelo, Pasquale and Rose Garbatini. She is survived by her sister Helen Longobardi Daddio of Hamden. Josie was game for anything, including attending the Colbert Report Show in New York and several shopping and show trips to the Big Apple. She loved being with people and her new home in Cheshire had become a meeting place for family and friends. Until her health began to decline she was an active member of the San Catello Society. Josie lived alone and often cooked up Sunday sauce for relatives. Although she never married she became the Longobardi matriarch beloved by 15 nephews and nieces including Lucille "Teale" and Annette "Nettie" Caliendo and Nettie's long-time companion Denis Kulick who served as her caretakers and Neil and Mattie Longobardi, Ann Gallo, Nicholas Sitro, Laura D'Antona, Estelle Gibbons, Neil and Augie Garbatini, Mollie Ann Rubino, Mary Joyce Cowland, the late Jackie Longobardi, Marie Ann Ferguson and Joann Geriack. Josephine enjoyed good health for most of her life and even when she became ill, never lost her sense of humor and good nature. All who knew her considered her very special. In the words of a friend from Maine, Josie was the "universal aunt." She loved her companion animal Gina the cat who will now live with Nettie Caliendo. Her funeral will be from Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm Street, West Haven at 9:00 am on Monday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at St. Paul's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call from 4-7 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Gifts in her memory may be made to Halfway Home Rescue located at Adoption Centers in PetSmart, at 400 Universal Drive, North Haven or PetSmart, 55 Boston Post Road, Orange or by visiting its online site at halfwayhomeonline@yahoo.com.