1917 - 2021
OBITUARY
Gilda Brizzi (Boracci) was born in Long Island City on January 31, 1917 to Malvina (Nazzaro) and Dominick Boracci. She was the sister to Walter and Floria Boracci, and Lucy (John DeSanto), all deceased. Gilda’s husband Andy (Anthony) passed away in 2006. Gilda died at home on Sunday June 6, in New Hyde Park of natural causes. She is survived by her two daughters, Lori and Barbara Brizzi. Her first born daughter, Jill Ann, passed away in 2020.
Gilda left an indelible impression on everyone who met her because of her indomitable spirit, warmth, charm, great sense of humor and good looks. As the matriarch and an inspiration to her family, Aunt Gil will be greatly missed by her adoring nieces and nephews and their families: John and Margaret De Santo and daughters Liz and Catherine, Sharon (DeSanto) and Ron Ma and sons Chris, Jason and Jon, Wally Boracci and son Nicholas, Anita (Boracci) and Scott Duffy and daughters Kristen, Caitlin and Shanna, and Linda Boracci. She leaves behind her longtime friend, Terry Allocco and adopted niece, Diane Provenzano. An animal lover til the end, she always took comfort in the presence of her most beloved pets, Bijou and Sonny Boy.
Gilda attended P.S. 32 and graduated from Bryant High School in Astoria. A lover of social dancing and skating, Gil found a perfect partner in Andy Brizzi. They met at a dance and their second date was to a roller rink. They were both natural dancers and their favorite dances were the foxtrot, lindy hop and the peabody!
Gilda was working as a dental assistant when WWII began but soon volunteered to work in the Hammerlund Defense Plant, as part of Rosie the Riveter’s work force. In 1943, during the War, the Brizzi’s were married and headed out to California to await Andy’s orders. Neither knew when or if they would be reunited as the War raged on in Europe and the Pacific. Andy was sent to the South Pacific and Gilda returned home to Astoria. While working at the Defense plant, Gil met her good friend, Eleanor Raduano, who would become a lifelong 'sister' because Eleanor married Gil's brother Walter. With armistice and Andy’s return, Gil and Andy, along with thousands of returning GI’s, moved their families out of the cities in search of better living conditions for their growing families and -- and NHP was just that, most of it farmland at the time. New homes were quickly springing up and the Brizzi’s became owners of their first and only home, built by the family construction company. Andy went to work for Boracci Construction and Gil stayed home, tasked with raising 3 young children. Andy and she became founding members of the Lions and Lionesses.
Gilda will be remembered as a person who always gave great importance in spending time with her friends through laughter, dancing, fabulous food, card games, bowling and golfing at the Garden City Country Club, where they played together well into their 80's!
Caring and generous with her time, she was the first person to arrive if a friend or neighbor needed her help.
She delivered Meals on Wheels to the homebound once every week for 20 years -- many times to people much younger than herself. The epitome of 'The Great Generation', with a strong will and determination running through her veins, Gilda Brizzi was an inspiration and a remarkable woman who leaves a legacy of family strength, stability and love.
VISITATION
Thursday, June 10
4:00 - 8:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL
Friday, June 11
11:00 AM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
INTERMENT
Calverton National Cemetery
210 Princeton Boulevard, Calverton, NY