Obituary of Deborah L. DiCocco

CANASTOTA . . . Deborah L. DiCocco, 63, of Canastota, New York, died on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Upstate Hospital, following a year-and-a-half gastric cancer diagnosis. Deborah Louise Lonergan was born in Syracuse, New York, on March 27, 1956, to Edward and Irene (Frey) Lonergan. Deb grew up on Calthrop Avenue in Syracuse where she developed a reputation for protecting the defenseless against neighborhood bullies with her right hook. During her teenage years, Deb marched with the Marauders Drum and Bugle Corps color guard in Syracuse, New York. Deb attended Clary Junior High School and graduated from LaFayette High School in 1974. Deb earned a bachelor's degree in art and graphic design from Buffalo State College in 1978. It was at Buff State that Deb met her future husband Bruce while she was designing sets for a play in which Bruce was an actor. Deb and Bruce were married on October 16, 1982, and eventually settled in Canastota, New York, where they raised two children. Deb enjoyed a career in marketing and graphic design, having worked at several ad agencies in the Syracuse area. Most recently, she was employed by Integrated Marketing Services in Liverpool--whose owners and employees were a family to her (and to whom her own family is very grateful). In her spare time, Deb enjoyed cheering for (or yelling at) the Syracuse men's basketball team, playing (and sometimes winning!) trivia at the Erie Canal Brewing Company, tending to her many flowers and plants, creating and enjoying artwork, watching Poldark on Netflix, and enjoying both art and music. (Deb especially loved dancing the night away at the CNY Jazz and Wine Fest.) Deb volunteered at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota, New York, having served on their board. Deb is survived by her husband of 37 years, Bruce; her two children: Beverly DiCocco Six (Greg) of Solvay, and Michael (Tracy) DiCocco of Sparta, New Jersey; her mother-in-law Joan DiCocco of Blossvale; siblings, Valerie Fish of Syracuse, Sheila Narayanan of Reading, Massachusetts, Michael (Tessa) Lonergan of Baldwinsville, Matthew Lonergan of Elkins, West Virginia, Sara (Joe) Parrott of Nedrow, Amy (Bill) McGrath of Fairmount, and Colleen (Bill) McConnell of Onondaga Hill, and a sister-in-law Mary Ann Lonergan of Fairmount. Deb was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Irene; three brothers: Patrick, Mark, and Stephen Lonergan; a brother-in-law, Brad DiCocco; and a granddaughter, Gloria Clementine Six. At Deb's request, there will be no calling hours or funeral, however, friends may call on family from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2020, at the Anchor Light Inn, Verona Beach. Arrangements by J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota, NY 13032. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 North Main Street, Canastota, NY, 13032, or to the charity of your choice.