Rosemarie Carmela (Puleo) Abone

1937 – 2024

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Rosemarie Carmela (Puleo) Abone, 87, of Rome, on Friday October 11, 2024. She was born in Frankfort, New York on September 29, 1937, daughter of the late Paul and Angelina Puleo. Rosemarie attended Frankfort Schuyler High School. On October 20, 1956, she married the love of her life, Anthony Abone, of Rome, N.Y. He passed away on July 06, 2023.

Rosemarie began her working career as an administrative assistant in Utica, N.Y. for Congressman Alexander Pirnie. Upon marrying and moving to Rome, she later worked for local attorneys, Emlyn Griffith, and Joe and Paul Pileckas. After a short hiatus while raising her sons, Rosemarie returned to the workforce as administrative assistant in the real estate sector with Clifford Realty and Heck Realty, and later as office manager for Re/Max All Pro Realty, where her son Tony was the Broker/Owner of the franchise. She single handedly kept Tony’s very busy and successful office running like a well oiled machine. Rosemarie was the first person prospective homebuyers and sellers, other office realtors, and real estate lawyers would see upon entering the office. And Ro knew her stuff. At the very youthful age of 80 years old, Rosemarie finally decided she was ready to retire. Her work ethic and years of dedication to her skill is something the youth of today should desperately attempt to emulate.

As Rosemarie’s sons grew up and their interest and talent in sports developed, she spent countless hours at the baseball fields, basketball courts, and most notably, assisting her husband with the Henry P. Smith Post American Legion baseball program. As any good coach knows, the folks behind the scenes are often equally responsible for the program’s success. That is truly the case with Rosemarie.

Rosemarie is survived by her two sons; Joe (Susan) of Collierville, TN, and Tony (Terry) of Rome, six grandchildren; Tracie (Greg) Dombrowski, of Naples, FL, Anthony “TJ” and (Fernanda) Abone, of Clearwater,FL, Timothy (Nicole) Abone, of Schnectady, NY, Alexandra (Blaine) Williams, Samantha (Taylor) Page, and Ryan (Lainey) Abone, all of Collierville, TN, eight great-grandchildren; Blakely and Brady Dombrowski, Ella, Nathan and Ava Williams, Noah and Luke Page, and Harper Abone, as well as many other loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband Anthony of 66 years, her parents, brothers; Joseph (Rosalie) Puleo, and Paul Puleo, her sister, Joann Smith, and sister-in-law, Joanne Puleo, her father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Catherine Abone, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Pat and Peggy Fabrizio, Frank and Nellie Fabrizio and Frank and Mary Dellork.

The family would like to thank the staff at Rome Health, and in particular, the phenomenal nursing crew in the Intensive Care Unit, who took wonderful care of Rosemarie during her recent and very lengthy stay, they truly are angels, and now she is theirs.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rosemarie’s name can be made to Marian Guild of St. John the Baptist Church, 210 East Dominick Street, Rome, N.Y. 13440, the Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion Baseball Program, 325 Erie Blvd. West, Rome, N.Y. 13440, or to the Thomas P. Zmudosky Sr. Memorial Baseball Scholarship, c/o Carmel Zmudosky, 800 Cedar Street, Rome, N.Y. 13440.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick Street, Rome, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, on Thursday October 17, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.