WESTFIELD – Julia Emilia (Rodriguez) Petrucelli, 97, died on Thursday September 27, 2012. Julia was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 13, 1915, the second child of Herman and Maria (Gruppi) Rodriguez.
She grew up in NY and worked there in customer relations for Lewis’s Hand Bags until her marriage to Patrick J. Petrucelli of Westfield on September 6, 1941. For the next 58 years she lived and worked in the Westfield community. Here she raised her family and was an active member of St. Mary’s Altar Guild and Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary.
Julia was a supportive partner and secretary for her husband, Patrick, in creating and developing the successful New England Specialty Nut Company from 1959 to 1972. Her interests and talents were many. She was an expert seamstress, enjoyed crocheting, knitting, ceramics, canning, freezing and decorating. One highlight of her life was her trip to Italy where she shook hands with Pope John Paul II. Julia was an Arizona “Snow Bird” for many years. She brought many friends with her to enjoy the warm winter months with her daughter Donna and family. Here she also spent the last three years of her life surrounded by the comfort and care of family members. She was predeceased by her husband Patrick in 1987.
Julia leaves her daughters, Rosemary Cordes and her husband George and Donna Smith and her husband Robert Bogart of Arizona. She also leaves five grandchildren; Dr. David Cordes and his wife Jennifer, Robert Cordes and his wife Amy, Jeanine Cordes, Amy Smith and her friend Andrew Day and Dr. Kimberly Smith and her husband Constantine Sabalos. She was blessed with six great-grandchildren; Billy, Patrick and Timmy Cordes, Julian Sabalos and Brendan and Abby Cordes.
The funeral for Julia will be held on Monday, October 15th at 9:15 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Robert E. Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street-Route 20, all in Westfield.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Rays of Hope, 3400A Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107 or Hospice of AZ, 19820 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027.
