Ida Brancato
- May 6
- 2 min read
Updated: May 10
1937 - 2026
OBITUARY
Ida grew up in a large, extended Italian American family with parents James and Sylvia and younger sisters Antoinette and Rose. She enjoyed a happy childhood in Queens, surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins, before settling in New Hyde Park, where Ida lived for more than 60 years.
Ida showed exceptional intelligence early on, skipping a grade in junior high and graduating from Queens College. Along with three other women, she was selected for a pioneering program to determine whether women could become computer programmers—an early sign of a trailblazing career in a male-dominated field. Ida spent more than 30 years in the securities industry, ultimately serving as Executive VP, General Partner of Office Systems and Management. As the highest-ranking woman at her firm, Ida earned significant recognition, including Business Week’s Top 100 Corporate Women and Industry Week’s Top 85 Women in Management, and oversaw the company’s computerization.
Ida's interests included world travel, sports (especially the New York Mets), reading, and cross-stitching - a skill so precise it looked machine-made. Ida stayed closely engaged with world events and was always up for a conversation about politics or finance. She cherished her friendships, especially with John and Jean Maloney and their family.
Above all, Ida was endlessly devoted to family - her parents and sisters, as well as her nieces, nephews, great-niece and great-nephews. She never missed a milestone or important occasion. She was loyal, thoughtful and generous. Ida will be forever loved and missed.
VISITATION
Thursday, May 14 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL MASS
10:45 AM
Notre Dame R.C. Church
5 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, NY
INTERMENT
Holy Rood Cemetery 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY
Dear Antoinette, This is Jim and Fay’s daughter Barbara. Your sister came to mind today and I can’t explain why but decided to look at the internet and sadly came across her obituary. I am both stunned and saddened to hear of her recent passing. Too much time has gone by and I have been remiss in keeping in touch. For that, I am heartbroken. I don’t have your number and if you email me back with it, I would love to talk with you. Dan and I stand beside you in your grief offering our hearts in sympathy. My heartfelt condolensces to your family and Annie’s daughter because I know only too well how you were all adored by…
On behalf of the entire Queens College Community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
May she Rest in Peace,
Rest in Peace Ida🌷
What an incredible lady… I’m absolutely honored to have known Ida.
Much love and heartfelt condolences to Annie and all those who love Ida
xo Pat & Tom
I feel very fortunate to have gotten to know Ida for many years through my close friendship with Anthony. She was so smart and quick witted and sincere. Sending love to Annie and the entire family from Colorado.
There are not enough words to express what Ida meant me, my parents, sisters and brothers and our extended family. My mother loved Ida. What person would be crazy enough to strike up a friendship with a couple after working all week with John and knowing there were twelve young children at home? Ida. Ida wasn’t just Dad’s business partner and Mom and Dad’s friend but an Aunt to us. Ida always took the time to talk with us and always remembered what we were doing in our lives and she even came on family vacations. I loved playing golf with my Mother and Ida. Ida was at the house on Saturday nights after a Broadway show and dinner with…