Obituary of Phyllis Greco

Phyllis J. Greco, 88, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2016. She was born Phyllis Josephine Camolilla to Sicilian immigrants Roselea (Lily) Cuccia Camolilla and Andrea Camolilla, in Garfield on Dec. 10, 1927. Phyllis frequently recalled her "wonderful childhood when she wanted for nothing," living with her parents and beloved sister Frances (Gazzano) and brother Joe at 53 Morris Ave., and later 81 Semel Avenue, Garfield, where her father owned a macaroni factory for a time and her mother was a member of the International Lady Garment Workers Union. Phyllis married the love of her life, John R. Greco, September 11, 1948 at our Lady of Sorrows Church and they became founders and owner/operators of Cameo Cleaners on Lanza Avenue, Garfield. They later welcomed sons Richard and Michael into the business when they expanded into carpet, drapery, and upholstery care while adding another store location on Route 4 in Fair Lawn. Phyllis and John retired for a brief time to their long-held dream of life in New Mexico but later adopted Florida as their home, where they joined many family members before John passed in June 1989. Phyllis is survived by three sons: Michael and his wife Laurette who have six children: Michael, Timothy and Scott Greco, and Jeff, Lissa and Charlie Korasick; Richard and his wife Karen, their children Matthew, Melanie and Alyssa; and Robert and his wife Jean, their children Phillip, Julian, and Francesca; Maryann Mack Greco, mother of Michael, Tim and Scott; and 14 great-grandchildren to date, ages 11 to infancy and two more on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses, many cherished cousins, and Uncle Jerome Cuccia of Garfield, a WWI veteran who brought her mother and Aunt, Anna (Cassata) as children to America from war torn Italy after WWI. Never knowing a stranger, Phyllis can best be remembered for her big smile which she gave away often, her outgoing personality, and her immensely loving spirit and sense of humor. She was a frequent volunteer wherever she lived, getting involved in her own local church projects, as well as those of her children wherever they lived. She was most honored to be a Eucharistic minister in the Catholic Church. She is also well remembered as founder of the original "social media" movement, using the old fashioned methods of card-sending, letter-writing and phone-calling to stay in touch with her many, many friends and family who were her faithful followers. A wake celebrating the life of Phyllis Greco will be held Friday, Oct. 28, from 5-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of her life at the funeral Mass on Saturday, 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church, 1799 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne, Fr. Michael Lombardo, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Consolation Youth Group, or the charity of your choice.