Antonia Millefoglie Obituary
Antonia Millefoglie of Gloucester Massachusetts left this world on September 20, 2023, surrounded with the love of family. She was born in Terrasini Sicily on September 14, 1928, daughter of the late Pietro and Valentina (Millefoglie) Favazza. At the age of nineteen, she emigrated from Sicily traveling on the SS Marine Perch with a wooden trunk filled with her trousseau. Her journey brought her to Gloucester's Old Fort where she reunited with her father and finalized plans to marry her childhood sweetheart Alfonso Millefoglie.
Antonia lived the life of a fisherman's wife with a focus on faith and family. As a devout Catholic, she regularly attended Mass, sang at novena's and prayed the rosary throughout her life. Her faith in God gave her the strength to accept one's destiny--the trials and the joys of life—with full acceptance. She was a member of the Mother of Grace Club and loved listening to Mother Angelica.
In her younger days, she was recognized for "la mano buona-a good hand" for creating exquisite, crocheted lacework, hand-knitted blankets, and fine clothing. She took pride in managing the household, cooking family meals, and keeping alive the traditions of the country she had left behind. Antonia made sure that her son and daughter kept the language of her youth, the recipes for holidays, and the traditions of Sicily. But her pride shined brightest at the accomplishments of her grandsons who matured to be talented, loving, and caring young men.
In Alfonso's and Antonia's later years, they enjoyed life as "snowbirds" in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where they had created a new Sicilian community with many dear friends from Gloucester. They spent days in the sunshine and evening sharing meals, laughter, and lots of card games.
Antonia was predeceased by her devoted husband Alfonso, her parents Valentina and Pietro Favazza, her beloved sister Caterina and brothers Benedetto and Giacoma. She will be deeply missed by the family she leaves behind: Daughter Maria Millefoglie and son-in-law Bill Huston, son Alphonse and daughter-in-law Nancy, her three grandsons Alfonzo and his wife Carissa, Collin and his wife Katherine, and Maximo; step- grandsons Justin Huston, Saer Huston and his wife Genell, step great-grandsons Keller and Riley Huston, sister-in-law Maria Millefoglie, sister-in-law Gennie Favazza, and friends and relatives in Sicily and the United States.
The family expresses deep gratitude for the caring and compassionate care provided by the nurses and health aides at Seacoast Nursing Home who were with her throughout the end-of-life journey.
Antonia's funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Ann's Church, Holy Family Parish, 60 Prospect Street, Gloucester, on Monday, September 25 at 12:30 p.m. with visiting hours will be held in St. Ann's Church beginning at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral and visiting hours. Following the funeral, a private burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Holy Family Parish, 60 Prospect Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
