Obituary of Antonia (Toni) Coote

Antonia (Toni) Coote Antonia (Toni) Coote, 72, of Rome, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2012, at home with her loving family by her side, due to complications of Leukemia. She was born in Rome, NY on March 22, 1939, daughter of the late Anthony and Mary DiCaprio Esposito. Toni graduated from Rome Free Academy, class of 1956, and attended Utica College. On June 11, 1960 she married George R. Coote in St. John the Baptist Church, a blessed union of 52 years. Her work experiences included W.T. Grant Company, Rome Board of Education, and Griffiss Air Force Base where she retired in 1994 after 26 years of federal service. Toni was a Democratic Committee member for over 10 years. She served as 1st Ward Democratic Chairman for six years and the City Democratic Chairman for four years. Toni was a member of the Rome Women's Bowling Association since 1955, the national, state and local 600 Clubs since 1961. She was vice president of the local 600 Club for several years. In 1996, Toni was inducted into the Rome Women's Bowling Hall of Fame. Toni also enjoyed playing bocce. She was the secretary/treasurer of her league for several years. Toni was a member of the Government Associated Ladies Society (better known as GALS) for over 30 years, serving as secretary for two years and president for two years. She was vice president of the Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) for two years. Toni was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Church serving as an usher and greeter for the past 12 years, and a religious instructor for the past 17 years. Surviving besides her beloved husband George, are a daughter and son- in-law, Mary and Jeff Martin, Ann Arbor, MI; a son and daughter-in- law, George Jr. and Sue Coote, Rome; and a granddaughter, Sarah Coote, Ann Arbor, MI. Also surviving are a brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Nicholas and Linda Esposito, Cortland, NY; many special aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins, club girls, and friends. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. from the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., and at St. John the Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440 or The American Cancer Society, 100 Lamont Court, Utica, NY 13502.