Obituary of Philip Muscarella, Jr.

Philip Muscarella Jr., 57, of Rome, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 3, 2007, at the Cleveland Clinic. His passing was due to multiple complications following cardiac surgery in Syracuse. Born on September 21, 1950 in Rome, NY, Philip was the son of the late Philip Sr. and Helen Capponi Muscarella. He attended Rome Free Academy. On May 24, 1979, he married the former Maryjane Lamachia Robinson at Beck's Grove in Blossvale. He was employed by Revere Copper Products for many years, and he later was employed by the Salvation Army headquarters in Syracuse, NY. Anyone who knew "Muskie" knew that he always was an avid New York Yankee baseball fan. He began playing baseball himself at a very early age. As an adult, he coached Little League for a number of years and played men's recreational softball. While living in South Carolina for several years, he coached girls' Fastpitch softball. Most recently, he was the Head Coach for X-Treme Fastpitch Softball (girls' travel teams) of Rome, NY, which became his year-round passion. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Maryjane, his daughter Kathryn Marie and her boyfriend Brent Santy of Albany, NY, his daughter Alyssa Anne of Rome, his step-daughter & son-in-law Elizabeth Robinson and Brian Payne, his granddaughter Miranda Payne, all of Weston, FL, his cousin and her companion, Donna Angotti and Ralph Altieri of Rome, several other cousins throughout the country, and his band of extremely close friends from "back in the cellar days at 607" who were like brothers to him, especially John A. Sparace and Bill Cingranelli. Calling hours are from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Sunday, December 9, at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY (337-2950). Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, at 9:00 am, with burial following the service at St. Johns Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to X-Treme Fastpitch Softball (please make checks payable to James Peal) 425 Turin St., Rome, NY 13440.