Jean Marsilio

Jean Susan Marsilio has passed peacefully in her sleep on June 2, 2014. She is survived by the love of her life, George E. Marsilio, Sr., to whom she was married for 65 wonderful years. Jean was born on June 1, 1930 in Greenwich, Connecticut to Albert Nelsen and Anna (Markey) Nelsen. Jean grew up in Congers, New York, where she graduated from Congers High School, having been voted to have “the most beautiful legs” by her classmates.

Jean and her husband George lived their lives in the many villages of Rockland County; Upper Nyack, Rockland Lake and Congers, where they raised their eight children, until they moved to Warwick, New York, located in Orange County for a brief spell. In 1969, Jean and George returned to Nyack, New York, and became the much loved proprietors of the Hi-Ho Restaurant located on 65 Main Street. Jean and George worked side-by-side running their business, along with their children, until they retired in 1989. At that time, they travelled together all over the United States and Canada, before settling on the gorgeous Island of Fripp, in South Carolina. For the last 14 years, Jean and George have been living in their beautiful home in Port Charlotte, Florida, where they lovingly entertained family and friends who were frequent visitors.

Jean will best be remembered for her endearing sense of humor, the intelligence and wisdom she possessed, as well as the love she generously gave to George, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her four brothers and brother-in-law, their wives and children, as well as her close and dear friends.

Jean is survived by seven of her children, Deborah Laliberte (Robert) of Congers, George Marsilio, Jr. of Saint Petersburg, Fla., Monica Campbell of Nyack, Patricia Breganti (Michael) of Upper Nyack, Nancy Bliss of Upper Nyack, Bella Jane Marsilio of Port Charlotte, Fla. and Jeffrey Marsilio of Barryville, N.Y. She leaves behind 17 beautiful grandchildren and 16 adorable great-grandchildren. Jean’s older brother John, whom she loved dearly, lives in Unadilla, N.Y. with his son and wife. Her loving sisters-in-law Ann Nelsen and Mary Nelsen reside in N.Y.

Jean is predeceased by one of her sons, whom she adored, Mark Anthony Marsilio, who resides in heaven, since October 29, 2003 and her three brothers, Albert Nelsen (Mary), Thomas Nelsen (Ann) and Arthur Nelsen “Rocky” (Doris).

A wake will be held at the Michael Higgins Funeral Home at 113 Lake Road in Congers, on Friday, June 6th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Paul’s Church, at 82 Lake Road, Congers, where Jean and George were married 65 years ago, on Saturday, June 7th, at 10 am. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.