MILLBURY – Florence M. (Corey) Belsito Ceccarini, 85, died Monday August 13, 2012, surrounded by her family in her home, after an illness.
Her husband of 29 years, Victor M. Ceccarini died in 2005 and her first husband, Robert J. Belsito died in 1973. She leaves her children, Daniel Belsito and his wife Maureen, Marie (Belsito) Cameron and her husband Tony, Matthew Belsito and his wife Cindy all of Millbury, Dr. Donald V. Belsito and his wife Maria of New York, Victor Ceccarini and his wife Donna of Worcester, Beth Ceccarini (Auclair) Erickson and her husband Timothy and a daughter-in-law, Deborah Ceccarini of Charlton; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and many cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, Clarence E. and Mary Anna (Vincent) Corey and a son, Brian Ceccarini.
Florence was born and raised in the Farnumsville section of South Grafton and was extremely proud of her Irish and French Canadian heritage, being bilingual by the age of 5. She was educated in the Grafton school system and graduated from Grafton High School in 1944 as the Valedictorian of her senior class. In addition, she attended and completed the 2 year course at Salters Business School. She then went on to a key position in the bookeeping department at the former Waite's Hardware on Main Street in Worcester. While in high school she dated her first husband, Robert, who enlisted in the Navy after his junior year and came back in 1946 to marry his sweetheart, who had patiently and lovingly awaited his return from World War II. In 1947, Florence and Bob opened Veteran's Grain Store, the first of 3 successful businesses that they would start. In 1960, IBA Inc. was born from the first business and eventually became the dominant company. In 1965 the IBA Print Shop was created as an adjunct to the main business. From these humble beginnings, IBA Inc. has now become one of the premier dairy farm supply businesses in the United States serving dairymen in all of the 48 contiguous states. Florence was the key financial person behind all three enterprises.
After her first husband passed away in 1973, Florence remained active in the business along with her sons and in 1976 she married her second husband, Victor Ceccarini, whom she had known from childhood and who was in the middle of a long and distinguished career with New England Telephone. Having both lost their respective spouses at a young age, Victor and Florence were able to spend many years together traveling and enjoying each others company. In addition, they took particular delight in the ever expanding family and the accomplishments of their grandchildren.
No matter the education and business successes in her life, Florence's first priority was as a mother and homemaker. The "office" work was often done by the kitchen light well after everyone was tucked in for the night or done at dawn before the family needs took precedence. Rarely has a balancing act of this magnitude been successful without extreme sacrifice, which so epitomized Florence's wonderful life.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Senior Comfort Services for several years of service and help to our Mother.
Florence's Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17th in St. Brigid Church, 59 Main St. Millbury. The family respectfully requests those attending the Mass go directly to the church. Burial to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Whitinsville. Calling hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16th in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St. in Millbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Read Florence Belsito Ceccarini's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
Her husband of 29 years, Victor M. Ceccarini died in 2005 and her first husband, Robert J. Belsito died in 1973. She leaves her children, Daniel Belsito and his wife Maureen, Marie (Belsito) Cameron and her husband Tony, Matthew Belsito and his wife Cindy all of Millbury, Dr. Donald V. Belsito and his wife Maria of New York, Victor Ceccarini and his wife Donna of Worcester, Beth Ceccarini (Auclair) Erickson and her husband Timothy and a daughter-in-law, Deborah Ceccarini of Charlton; 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and many cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, Clarence E. and Mary Anna (Vincent) Corey and a son, Brian Ceccarini.
Florence was born and raised in the Farnumsville section of South Grafton and was extremely proud of her Irish and French Canadian heritage, being bilingual by the age of 5. She was educated in the Grafton school system and graduated from Grafton High School in 1944 as the Valedictorian of her senior class. In addition, she attended and completed the 2 year course at Salters Business School. She then went on to a key position in the bookeeping department at the former Waite's Hardware on Main Street in Worcester. While in high school she dated her first husband, Robert, who enlisted in the Navy after his junior year and came back in 1946 to marry his sweetheart, who had patiently and lovingly awaited his return from World War II. In 1947, Florence and Bob opened Veteran's Grain Store, the first of 3 successful businesses that they would start. In 1960, IBA Inc. was born from the first business and eventually became the dominant company. In 1965 the IBA Print Shop was created as an adjunct to the main business. From these humble beginnings, IBA Inc. has now become one of the premier dairy farm supply businesses in the United States serving dairymen in all of the 48 contiguous states. Florence was the key financial person behind all three enterprises.
After her first husband passed away in 1973, Florence remained active in the business along with her sons and in 1976 she married her second husband, Victor Ceccarini, whom she had known from childhood and who was in the middle of a long and distinguished career with New England Telephone. Having both lost their respective spouses at a young age, Victor and Florence were able to spend many years together traveling and enjoying each others company. In addition, they took particular delight in the ever expanding family and the accomplishments of their grandchildren.
No matter the education and business successes in her life, Florence's first priority was as a mother and homemaker. The "office" work was often done by the kitchen light well after everyone was tucked in for the night or done at dawn before the family needs took precedence. Rarely has a balancing act of this magnitude been successful without extreme sacrifice, which so epitomized Florence's wonderful life.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Senior Comfort Services for several years of service and help to our Mother.
Florence's Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17th in St. Brigid Church, 59 Main St. Millbury. The family respectfully requests those attending the Mass go directly to the church. Burial to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Whitinsville. Calling hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16th in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St. in Millbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Read Florence Belsito Ceccarini's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
A service summary is not available