Joyce Marie (Bagarose) Vertone

Joyce Marie (Bagarose) Vertone, 74, died on October 31, 2022 after a eight year duration with glioblastoma multiforme.  Joyce will be remembered for her smile, sense of humor, intelligence, and the way she cared about her loved ones throughout her life.

Born in Troy on August 29, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Frances (Bovino) Bagarose. Described by her family as a “sensitive and kind girl,” she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Catholic Central High School and graduated from Troy High School in 1966.

Joyce married Theodore Vertone in 1968 and they had a daughter Regina in 1978.

For over 40 years, Joyce worked for various departments for the State of New York, primarily spending time at the Office of General Services and later the Office for Technology. At the office, she was respected for her sharp mind, excellent knowledge of detail, and sense of humor as she advanced in her career. She had fond memories of the many friends she made during her working years and especially loved Laurie Rotondaro. Joyce retired from the state in 2013.

Throughout her life, Joyce had a strong love of family and appreciated all of her connections with everyone. Many Sunday dinners, birthdays, and holidays were spent with her sisters, nieces and nephews. Many good times and visits were also shared with Joan and Dennis Romano. In the “old days,” Joyce also enjoyed hosting the Vertone family for huge Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners. Her antipasta salad was famous in family and work circles.

Joyce was known for finding any excuse to buy you a gift or send you a card in the mail to mark a special occasion or for no reason at all.  Joyce enjoyed a spirited political debate and was sad when Jon Stewart left The Daily Show. One politician that she had a special fondness for was the late New York State Governor Mario Cuomo. Joyce appreciated going to concerts and shows (saw Jerry Seinfeld five times and Billy Joel six times), devoured books, and was an excellent shopper.

Joyce always said her “favorite job” was being a mother to Regina. Being a mother meant Joyce would worry about anything and take an interest in everything Regina did. Joyce gave Regina a life filled with support, advice, and unconditional love (with occasional bickering for offering “too many suggestions”). Joyce was the best mother any daughter could have and will be missed forever.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Regina Vertone and her “almost son-in-law” John Costanza, her husband Theodore Vertone, her siblings Joan Bagarose Centanni (Luigi), Elaine Bagarose Agostine (late husband Francis), Janice Bagarose and the late Joseph Bagarose. She is also survived by her in-laws LuAnn Abbott (Thomas) and Rocco Vertone (Janice Floyd). In addition to her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her husband’s parents Theodore and Rose Vertone. Many nieces, nephews and one godson will miss their Aunt Joyce. Her beloved nephew, Matthew LaBounty, predeceased her. Her late granddogs Ardie and Dixie, will be waiting for her in heaven, ready with squeaky toys and Cheez-Its.  

The family would like to express appreciation to all family and friends for their support, meals and visits during Joyce’s illness. A great deal of gratitude and respect goes to the doctors who helped Joyce during her duration with glioblastoma multiforme - Dr. Thomas Lovely, MD, Dr. Duncan Savage, MD and Dr. Susan Weaver, MD. A very special mention also goes to the many aides and nursing staff who helped care for Joyce in her home and later at the Eddy Heritage House Rehabilitation Center and Nursing Home. Special thank you to Shannon Bastiani, our social worker and Lauren Unguran from Community Hospice.

The funeral service for Joyce will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 10:15 am in the Bocketti Funeral Home, 336 Third Street, Troy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may call at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 8:30 – 10:15 am. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.

If you wish to honor Joyce, contributions may be made to Easter Seals, 292 Washington Avenue Extension, Suite 112, Albany, NY, 12203 (www.easterseals.com) or to The Russell Sage College Libraries, 65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180 (www.sage.edu)

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