Ida S. Fazio

Ida S. Fazio (Sanson), Born in Passaic, NJ on November 21st, 1925, to Enes Debernardi and Anthony "Tony" Sanson and raised by her mother and stepfather, Harold A. Hillcher, Ida Fazio lived a wonderful, vibrant life of 99 years, full of travel and surrounded by close-knit family and dear friends.

Family was everything to Ida. She cherished her memories and adventures with her two brothers, Christopher A. Sanson and Harold Christopher "Butch" Hillcher (Kay), as well as Butch's children, Hal and Heather. Married to her soulmate, Dominick Robert "Big Fazz" Fazio for four decades, they loved spending time with friends and family at the Jersey Shore beaches in Spring Lake, at the Breakers, in Point Pleasant, and at the Little Bay House in Silver Beach where they enjoyed picturesque sunsets over the jetties. Her husband served in the Coast Guard before enjoying a successful career as a business owner and salesman, and when they were not entertaining friends with homemade Italian dinners featuring Dominick's special pasta dishes, they loved to go dancing.

Ida was very proud of her son, Dr. Robert Fazio (Barbara), with his success in dentistry as a periodontist and wonderful family. Her son's best friend, John Bonagura, became very close and like a second son, and in her later years, Ida always looked forward to his visits as a time for sharing memories. She cherished her family time with her granddaughters, Danielle and Alexandra, and her husband, Jay. She especially took joy from her great-grandchildren, Tyler and Norah, showing great pride in their academic and athletic achievements.

Ida lived a full and active life alongside great friends who knew her for her witty, sharp sense of humor and positive outlook on life. As a member of the service group the Red Hatters and as a Prime-Time member, she loved shows at the Paper Mill Playhouse followed by dinner at Mina's with her girlfriends and excursions into NYC to enjoy her favorite Broadway shows or NY Giants games. She traveled all over Europe and the U.S. and especially enjoyed trips to Italy to see family and friends. Ever a fan of Frank Sinatra, Ida loved to belt out every line of his ballads and was lucky enough to have met him after winning a radio contest. She loved a good Scotch old fashioned, Italian cookies, and hosting bridge games at her home. She met wonderful lifelong co-generational friends while working for decades at Montclair State University.

She was predeceased by her husband (Dominick), her son (Robert), and her brother (Chris), who she is joyfully reunited with in Heaven now. Ida was a lifelong, faithful parishioner at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Clifton, NJ, where a funeral mass celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 10th at 11:00am. Her family would greatly appreciate contributions in Ida's memory to a charity of your choice.