Maria Gagliardi

Maria "Mary" Gagliardi of Derrenbacher Street, Kingston died peacefully at home after a long illness on Sunday, November 23, 2008. She was 78. The daughter of Giuseppe "Peppino" and Fortunata Teresina Calvelli Tucci, she was born on March 1, 1930 in Paterno Calabro, a small town in the province of Cosenza, Italy. Her family owned a working farm in the town which she helped them manage. Mrs. Gagliardi immigrated to the US, via New York City, on the ocean liner Saturnia in February 1953. She then headed to Montreal, Canada to marry John Gagliardi in August 1, 1953. The couple remained in Canada for a year, with Mary workings as a seamstress in a dress factory in Montreal. In 1954 they relocated to Kingston, NY and she took a job at the Knitting Mill as a seamstress. After a year, she left to help her husband manage the Kozy Tavern Restaurant and Bar; they ran the family-owned business for the next 40 years. She also held jobs at Kingston Consolidated Schools. Mrs. Gagliardi was a member of the Cornell Cooperative Extension and an avid gardener, expert baker and homemaker. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church. Surviving are her husband of 55 years, John Gagliardi; two daughters Gisela Gagliardi of Kingston and Nancy Denehan of Stone Ridge and New York City; her loving son in law, Declan; her brother Saverio "Sam" Tucci of Kingston; and countless nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. The funeral procession will form on Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., 2 Jefferson Plaze, Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.