Rosalia Gioia
- Oct 21, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
1931 - 2025
OBITUARY
Rosalia Gioia (10/21/1931-10/21/2025) a pioneering advocate for women’s athletics, education and a devoted family matriarch, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on her birthday October 21st, 2025. Known for her fierce determination, clear-eyed intelligence, and generous spirit, she spent decades mentoring athletes, opening doors for young women in sports, and inspiring others with her wit, humor, strength and kindness. Rosalia was a recipient of multiple distinguished Honors and several Hall of Fame inductions.
Her influence reached far beyond athletics; Rosalia was a loyal friend in many circles, an incisive conversationalist, and a steady guide to those who sought her counsel. Her legacy lives on in the athletes she played, coached, officiated, the programs she helped build, and the countless lives she shaped with patience and conviction.
She is survived by her nephews, nieces, grands and greats: Louis Gioia, Leonard Gioia, Thomas Gioia, Ann Amendolagine, Mia Amendolagine, Kristine Cornwell (nee Gioia), Melanie Nicolo (nee Hoops), Amy Denby (nee Gioia), Martin Hoops, Anthony Hernandez, Annie Denby, Amelia Cornwell, Michael Hoops, Jack Denby and many cousins.
RIP Aunt Ro. LYVM
VISITATION
Wednesday, October 22 4:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, October 23 2:00 - 4:00 PM & 7:00 - 9:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL MASS
Friday, October 24 10:00 AM St. Aiden R.C. Church 505 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, NY
INTERMENT
Holy Rood Cemetery 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY
In Lieu of Flowers, please consider making donations to:
Office of Institutional Advancement - Ways to Give | Hunter College
I am very sorry to have learned of the death of Rosalia Gioia. I had many issues with her and others at NHPMHSm Unfortunately my life was so upside down during a time when my formative years were marked by great personal sorrow instead of joy. I did not always agree with her. But I did admire her candor, her insight, consistency, stability and strength. Thank you.
Ms. Gioia, as we at NHP Memorial HS (class of '63) knew her as our PE teacher, was such a special and inspirational person. I didn't realize and appreciate until a few years later how much she did for us in giving us the opportunity to play field hockey, basketball, and softball etc. against other schools. And also there was the "Leader Corps". This was at a time when girls did not have those opportunities. Over the years I have such an appreciation and exchanged Christmas cards learning how involved she was with L.I. sports - playing and reffing etc. I got to see her at the Huntsman World Sr. games. She had a wonderful and giving life. My thoughts…
I never had as much fun in gym class as when she was my teacher.
She made me feel like I could do things I didn't think I had the capacity for and I did them with her coaching.
Rest in Peace and joy knowing you touched so many lives.
I met Rosalia in 1960, when she would come to HUNTER college to officiate our Field Hockey games.She was president of her own hockey Ass'n (NYFHA) which I joined.Thus began our lifelong friendship.She was a great mentor to all of us young people on the hockey team.When I started to teach physical education ,I tried to apply what I learned from Rosalia to my teaching.I have so many wonderful memories of my hockey days with Ro and all my teammates..Those memories will stay with me always. To this day,Ro and I exchanged holiday cards at Christmas and Easter.Rosalia was an extraordinary teacher,a great leader, a good friend and an Amazing Woman!
I extend my condolences to Ro's family and friends…
Rosalia was the most wonderful person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. We played together on the New York Yankees Womans fantasy camp thunder team. She was one of a kind! Ro made me laugh my way through camp. I will miss her with all my heart. Rest in sweet peace Ro.