Josephine Farricielli

1919 - 2025

Josephine Farricielli
November 30, 1919 - November 16, 2025
Josephine "Jo" (DeCaprio) Farricielli passed away peacefully in her home in Branford, CT on November 16, 2025. Josephine was born on November 30, 1919 in New Haven to Antonio and Raffaela (Sparico) DeCaprio. She was one of nine siblings. She was a devoted mother to Joseph (Jean) Farricielli and Christina "Candy" Farricielli (Charles) Schaap, both of whom predeceased her. She was the devoted mother to Dr. Laurie Farricielli (John Halla) of Scottsdale, AZ, Susan Farricielli (Carl Norbeck) of Branford, foster mother to Ana (Ray) Grande of El Salvador, mother-in-law to Jean (Joseph) Farricielli, Branford, and former wife of the late Vincent S. Farricielli. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Vincent R. Farricielli (Lesley) of Guilford, Joseph J. Farricielli Jr. (Denise) of Bronxville, NY, Christina Tremonte (Jay) of Branford, Donna Sheeran (John) of Boston, and Robin Tremonte of Branford, as well as 2 step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Jo Farricielli was known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit. She touched countless lives throughout her many years of service to her community and the people she loved most. Jo embraced the role of caregiver from an early age. An amazing mother to many, she created a home filled with warmth, good food, and open doors. A gifted cook, she delighted family and friends with hearty meals and, most famously, her renowned biscotti-treats that became a cherished tradition at gatherings and holidays.
Jo played a vital role in supporting her former husband in the development and growth of Farricielli Oldsmobile/GMC Truck. In addition to her dedication, organizational skill, and strong work ethic that contributed greatly to the success of the business, each year she baked the favorite birthday cake of every employee.
Deeply committed to service, Jo was a long-standing member of the Hospital of Saint Raphael Auxiliary, where she was recognized as having the highest volunteered hours. There, she poured her energy into running blood drives, managing the art corridor, and for many years operating the hospital's Thrift Store-work that brought her tremendous fulfillment and connection to her community.
Her spontaneity and love of adventure included glider plane rides, scuba diving lessons in her 70s, road trips across the country and later to her Mount Snow home in Vermont where she tried everything--cross-country skiing, snow mobiling, and riding chairlift to the top of mountain for Easter Sunday mass.
Jo started each morning with a shot of sambuca in her cappuccino. Her thirst for adventure never waned. In her later years she would ask her aid Michelle "Where are we going and what are we doing today?" and off they would go for a ride, sometimes to the Mohegan Sun, the Peabody Museum, visiting a friend, and weekly lunches with her 103-year-old buddy Jo Giordano where she enjoyed her espresso martinis.
Jo was a member of the Morris Cove Garden Club, where she forged lasting friendships and shared her passion for gardening. She also volunteered at the Branford Community Dining Room, offering compassion and nourishment to those in need. She owned a frame shop and gallery in Branford and was a was a volunteer at the Guilford Art Center. A talented portrait painter herself, Jo captured the spirit of her subjects with care and sensitivity. Her artwork and appreciation for the arts, much like her life, reflected her deep understanding of people and her generous heart.
Jo will be remembered for her boundless love, her creativity, her service to others, and the quiet strength that defined her life. She was blessed in her later years for the support of her aid, Michelle Newton and the nurses and volunteers of Hospice Home Care. Jo's legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the community she enriched, and the many people fortunate enough to have known her.
Family and friends may call Friday, November 28 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St. Branford. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, St. John Bosco Parish, 731 Main Street, Branford, CT on Saturday, November 29 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Branford Community Foundation at branfordcommunityfoundation.org in honor of the Farricielli Family Trust. Please see her online memorial at www.wsclancy.com.