George R. Fanelli

George R. Fanelli age 91, of Utica, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 6, 2025, at home with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Utica on October 29, 1933, son of the late Rocco and Lena Palmisano Fanelli and was a graduate of TR. Proctor High School Class of 1951. He served our country in the US Army from 1956 to 1958. On August 30, 1958, he was married to Anita J. Hamilton in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, a blessed union of 57 years until her passing on December 4, 2015.

George along with his father Rocco and brother John was the co-owner and operator of the family business, Fanelli’s Express, Inc., in New Hartford for many years until his retirement.

In his younger years, during high school, George excelled in sports and was an excellent basketball, baseball and football player. George was always boasting about scoring 4 touchdowns in a single game. He was an avid golfer and was a devoted member of the Yahnundasis Golf Club. To his credit, George had 4 “holes-in-one” during his golfing career. He was also a devout Yankees fan. George’s happiest times were those spent with his children and grandchildren whom he loved dearly. They will forever hold his memory in their hearts. 

Surviving are his beloved children and grandchildren; his son John “JP” and wife Mary (Leffert) Fanelli and their children Arica and Craig Briggs and Elaina Fanelli; his daughter Lenora Fanelli Mihavetz and her daughters Kailey and Kara; his son George R., Jr. and wife Nicola (Bruzzese) Fanelli and their sons George, Rocco and Antonio; his son David and wife Maria (Carzo) Fanelli and their children Gianna, Giulia and David; two great grandchildren Abriana and Charlee-Joan; his brother and sister-in-law John P. and Ruth (Cozza) Fanelli; in-laws Mary Hamilton and John Dundorf and many nieces, nephews and cousins with special mention of his nephew and godson Rocco Fanelli. He also leaves his dear friend Lucretia Humphrey.

He was predeceased by his parents, his granddaughter Monica, his nephew Peter Fanelli, mother-in-law Gertrude Borey, and in-laws Joan Dundorf and Delbert Hamilton.

There will be no public visitation.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday Feb. 13th at 12:00 noon in Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church. Private interment will be next to his beloved wife Anita in Calvary Cemetery.

The family will greet all visitors at the conclusion of mass in church.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Wynn Hospital for their compassion and care during George’s stay.

“Ninety-one, what a run!”