Obituary of William A. Baptiste Sr.

William A. Baptiste Sr. William A. Baptiste Sr., 81, of Rome, was called to the Lord on Friday, February 16, 2007 at Rome Memorial Hospital. He was born February 26, 1925, the son of the late Henry and Josephine Falvo Baptiste in Yonkers, New York. Bill attended local schools and was a decorated US Army World War II veteran of the Pacific Theatre stationed in the Philippines. On September 6, 1947, in St. John the Baptist Church, he was joined in marriage to Rose Corigliano, his life long devoted partner. He was employed at the former Griffiss Air Force Base for 36 years working with ROAMA, GEEIA, and retired from Civil Engineering. He and his wife also ran Boulevard Poultry Market from 1956 to 1967 with his brother-in-law, Tom Corigliano. Bill was a licensed butcher. Upon his retirement, he attended MVCC where he received his Associates Degree. He became a licensed realtor and appraiser, and was employed by then, Mark 1 Realty. Bill was very involved in youth sports in the 1950s, coaching little league and Babe Ruth teams. He himself, as a youngster, played baseball, basketball and hockey. Later in life he enjoyed bowling, golfing and bocce. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion and the Toccolana Club, where he was past president. He is survived by his wife, Rose; a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Andrew Hudak, Rome; a son and daughter-in-law, William and Carrie Baptiste, Manlius; his granchildren, JuneAnn Patterson, Andrew Jr. and Rachel Hudak, Heather and Jessica Baptiste; and his great-grandchildren, Cameron, Olivia and Breianna. He is also survived by his sisters and brother-in-law, Catherine and Mickey Consilio, Rome, Minnie Ciccarelli, Utica. Also surviving are his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Nazare and Ann Corigliano, Thomas and Carmella Corigliano, Jerry and Catherine Corigliano, Peter and Isabelle Corigliano, David and Angeline Schillaci, Alfred Scerra, Mary Farraggio, all of Rome, Grace Baptiste, NC, and Caroline Baptiste, Rome and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Fred, Joe and Francis Baptiste; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dominick and Antoinette Ross, Carl and Nora Pugliese, Frances Scerra, James Farraggio and Albert Ciccarelli; and a very special nephew, Carl Pugliese Jr. The family wishes to thank the staff on 2 North, of Rome Memorial Hospital, for their devoted and compassionate care of Bill during his final days. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at St. John the Baptist Church where relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., Rome. Memorial Contributions may be made to OFA-OCC, Senior Nutrition Program, c/o Oneida County Office of the Aging, 235 Elizabeth St., Utica, NY 13501 or Jervis Public Library, 613 N. Washington St., Rome, NY 13440.