Phillipina Verrastro

            Phillipina Verrastro of Moscow, known to most as Phyl, passed away in the early morning of July 4th at Geisinger CMC surrounded by her loving family following complications from a fall a week earlier. She was 95. She was the widow of her beloved husband, Leonard T. Verrastro, who passed away six months before their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001. Their 75th wedding anniversary would have been this August.

            Born and raised in Dunmore to the late Anthony and Rose Carlo, Phyl was one of ten siblings, a graduate of Dunmore High School, and a member of Saint Catherine of Siena and its Altar & Rosary Society. From a younger age, her mother taught her the value of responsibility and hard work, which Phyl embodied from an early age, babysitting neighborhood children after school. As a teenager, she loved to socialize with friends, especially at the local bowling lane. After graduation, she worked at American Tobacco in Scranton, at which time she met the love of her life, Leonard. He asked her to “go steady” on their very first date. A year later, Leonard proposed to Phyl on her lunch break. She fondly remembered returning to work to pack cigars, smiling at her engagement ring. For years, Phyl and Leonard worked diligently building a life and a home together at his Dunmore bar/restaurants, “Leonard’s,” and “Town Grill.” Phyl loved to reminisce about carrying full dinner plates all the way up her arm when she waited tables. In 1959, they built a home in Moscow where they moved with their first son, Pasquale, and their only daughter, Jenny. In 1965, Leonard Jr. was born, becoming her husband’s namesake. Phyl’s family meant everything to her, and everyone who knew her, knew that.

            Phyl was a strong and loving mother and an exceptional homemaker who, together with Leonard, raised their beloved children with unshakable values, generous hearts, and fierce dedication to their families. Phyl later became a grandmother to six grandchildren who absolutely adored her, whom she kept very close to, including through texting and FaceTime—Phyl never stopped learning and challenging herself as she got older. She treasured every moment she spent with them.

            Phyl and Leonard spent many joyful winters together in Vero Beach, Florida before he passed away. They enjoyed traveling with friends, golfing, playing cards, and spending Easter vacations with their visiting family. Phyl was an magnificent cross-stitcher; she made numerous scenic patterns counting by eye, which now proudly hang all over her daughter’s home. Years after her husband’s passing, Phyl loved to spend time with her late brother, Arthur, and sister-in-law, Theresa. They would spend every weekend enjoying live entertainment at Mt. Airy. In her late 80s, Phyl enthusiastically returned to work part-time at the family business that her husband and children built—another great source of pride in her life. Later, she moved in with her adoring daughter & son-in-law, where she enjoyed spending time with loved ones, watching game shows, coloring, and rooting for her favorite sports teams. She especially loved watching for hummingbirds on her tranquil back patio, surrounded in her daughter’s gorgeous flower garden. Phyl spent much of her time reading, doing puzzles, and lovingly crocheting afghans for her family & friends, the ill & elderly, newborns, and family employees. She estimated over 50, but never really kept count. They will be truly cherished by all who received one.

            Phyl was small in stature, and extraordinarily large in heart. When she liked you, you knew it by the way she laughed with you. And when she loved you, you felt like God Himself was holding you in the palm of His Hand. She was a magnificent and wonderful and mighty woman, leaving behind a space that can never be filled. She will be missed profoundly, and the memory of her mind, body, & soul cherished in the hearts of her loved ones. Her family would also like to thank Phyl’s loving caregivers, Carol, Becky, and Alexis for the wonderful care and company they provided over the last year.

            Phyl was preceded in death by three sisters, Josephine Domenick, Rose O’Brien, and Ann Mastro, all of Dunmore, and five brothers, Joseph, Frank, Steve, Sam and Arthur Carlo. Surviving Phyl is her sister, Angie Summa of Dunmore, Phyl’s three children & their spouses, Jenny & Ken Cooney, Leonard & Elizabeth Verrastro, and Pasquale & Barbara Verrastro, all of Moscow, and her six grandchildren, Jennifer “JC” Cooney & wife Jennifer “JFo” Forgione, Sean Cooney, Victoria Verrastro, Nicholas Verrastro & fiancé Elizabeth DeNaples, LT Verrastro & wife Rachel, and Nika Verrastro-Falcucci & husband Dan, along with many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10AM in Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Moscow. All those attending are asked to go directly to the church. Entombment will take place in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow.

A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc, 318 East Drinker St, Dunmore.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Saint Catherine of Siena, Main Street in Moscow, Saint Ann’s Basilica, 1250 Stanton Street in Scranton, or Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. Phyl will be remembered for her generous heart, her always-surprising sense of humor, and the deep love she had for her children, grandchildren, and friends; her love for them was immeasurable. Before she left her earthly body, she asked for this to be in her obituary: “In my memory, call your children every day, and tell them that you love them."

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