Phil Buonamici, who with wife Helen
Miconi Buonamici operated their Buonamici’s Grocery Store on Route 218 in
Worthington for 36 year, passed away Tuesday, May 5.
They were married in Cascia, Italy
and immigrated to West Virginia in 1952. Phil worked at Saban’s Gulf gas
station owned by Alabama football coach Nick “Brother” Saban’s father, Nick
Saban, Sr. and later was an auto mechanic at Layman’s Motor before Phil and
Helen opened their own grocery store.
Phil and Helen’s story is a tale
lived over and over by immigrants from around the world who came to America for
a better life, like my mother, Lena Futten Olesky, who came from Pellizzano,
Italy in 1920, and my grandfather, Martin Olesky, one of five siblings who came
separately to America and Canada.
Phil and Helen are as American as
they get.
Phil’s obituary:
Filippo (Philip) Buonamici, 88, of Worthington passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. He was born on June 20, 1931, in Favalanciata, Comunes: Acquasanta, Italy. Filippo was the youngest child of the late Cesare and Marta (Parissi) Buonamici.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Giuseppe, sister, Antonio, of Italy, and his uncle and aunt, Alex and Mary Buonamici.
Filippo was married to Helen Miconi on October 20, 1951, in Cascia, Italy, at the church of San Francesco. Then he immigrated to West Virginia in 1952 through the port at New York. He was welcomed into the home of his beloved uncle and aunt, Alex and Mary Buonamici, and helped them with their family business. He also worked at Saban’s Gulf gas station and at Layman’s Motor as an auto mechanic. In 1957, Filippo and Helen opened Buonamici’s Grocery Store on Route 218 in Worthington. They operated the store together while raising their family for thirty-seven years until his retirement in 1993.
Filippo developed many life-long friendships with his customers and enjoyed listening to entertaining stories about their lives. He also took pride in planting a vegetable garden, cultivating grapes, and taking his children fishing. But his most treasured times were at home with his family gathered around the table filled with traditional homemade food for holidays, religious celebrations, and birthdays.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.
Filippo was a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd degree Holy Family Council #11890 in Mannington and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Marian Council #942 in Fairmont. He was also a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Farmington. He enjoyed attending Sunday mass until he was physically unable to.
Our family extends our heartfelt appreciation to Father Vincy Illickal for visiting and praying for him during his illness. Filippo’s face glowed and he smiled from ear-to-ear whenever he saw Father Vincy.
Filippo is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Helen (Miconi) and three children, Alesio (Alex) Buonamici, Maria (Mary) and Mark Perrella, Cesare (Chester) and Lydia Buonamici; four grandchildren, Patrick (Christi) Perrella, Matthew Perrella, Cierra (Kara) Buonamici, Taylor Buonamici; and one great grandson, Brooks Anderson Perrella. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Eva Miconi, two brothers-in-law, Louie and Americo (Sally) Miconi, and two nieces, Maria and Elda Parissa of Italy.
The family wishes to thank the compassionate people at the following facilities for the loving care they provided for Filippo – John Manchin, Sr. Assisted Living Facility, St. Barbara’s Nursing Home, and Anmore Amedisys Hospice.
Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic private services will be held on Friday for the immediate family at Ross Funeral Home 801 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont. Entombment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Please make checks payable to Osiris Shrine Center, 91 Kruger St., Wheeling, WV 26003. Also include in the memo section, Transportation Fund in memory of Filippo Buonamici.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rossfh.com .
No comments:
Post a Comment