Josephine Marie Herrick

Herrick, Josephine Marie (Josie)

Herrick, Josephine Marie (Josie) GRANBY CONNECTICUT

Josie passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 11, 2024, after a valiant two and a half year, battle with Lung Cancer. Her husband of 54 years Robert G. Herrick ("Bob") was by her side as she passed. Bob knows that those who knew Josie will remember her beauty, passion, intelligence and caring, empathetic love for her fellow human beings. He also knows that reducing a lifetime of helping and caring for others to these few words in an obituary is unfair, but it is what we are left with so he asks that you remember Josie in your heart, she would approve.

Josie was born in Caserta, Italy on May 11, 1949, and she and her family immigrated to Albany NY in 1956, to begin a new chapter in their lives. For Josie, one of those chapters was meeting Bob, her first and only love.

Josie married her "high school sweetheart" Bob on June 13, 1970, and they spent the next 54 years sharing life as it came, good times and bad. Together they loved travelling to their second home in Jupiter, Florida, taking drives together to get away from it all and enjoying the many pets they had over the years. Josie was a devoted and loving mother to her son Jason R. Herrick and the proud grandmother of the love of her life Jacqueline Herrick.

Josie was a graduate of the College of Saint Rose in Albany NY and did her graduate studies in Political Science at the University at Albany - Thank you Dr. Alan Chartock.

Josie, early on developed a love for politics and was a steadfast Member of the Democratic Party in Albany, NY. She was appointed as Chair of the Ethics Committee by Judge Leonard Weiss and worked on many local and national election campaigns prior to moving to Massachusetts to help in raising her Granddaughter.

Josie was Chief of Staff for two Assemblymen, one who chaired the Labor Committee, and the other who Chaired the Racing and Wagering Committee. In 1992 Josie chased her own dream of representing the people of Albany in the NYS Assembly and ran for the Assembly against three other candidates. Though her effort was unsuccessful she never stopped supporting other Democratic candidates.

Josie was appointed as Deputy Commissioner and subsequently Commissioner for the Albany County Department for Aging. She was proud of her accomplishments with the agency and remembered fondly all her co-workers.

Josie thereafter moved to a position with Caregiver Respite Services of Catholic Charities to work with her friend Martha Haase to grow and nurture the program. 

Josie was a proud Member of the Democratic Women of the Legislature and a founding Member of the United Women's Council in Albany. 

Upon moving to Massachusetts Josie joined the Board of Directors for the Westfield MA Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also was on the Board of Directors of the Westfield, MA Athenaeum. 

Josie was proud to have been elected as President of the Westfield Woman's Club (serving for 5 years) and in establishing the non-profit status (501(3)) for the organization. She misses all the women and their monthly luncheons.

She and Bob were Co-Chairs (twice) of the Noble Ball fundraiser for Noble Hospital, Westfield MA, where much needed funds were raised for the Hospital. She thanks her friend Alison Gearing Kalill for getting her involved in that most important effort.

Josie was a lifelong NY Yankees fan and hoped she could see them again as World Champions in 2024. Sadly, she won't see that but will be rooting for the team from her Heavenly place.

She was predeceased by her parents Antimo and Filomena Benincasa. In addition to her husband Bob, son Jason and Granddaughter Jackie, Josie is also survived by her brothers Vincent Benincasa (Sarah), Carmen Benincasa (Joleen) and her beloved brother Antimo Benincasa Jr. who supported Josie throughout her ordeal with cancer. Andy would call all the time to reach out and stay in touch and tell her he loved her, please know Andy, she loved you too. She is also survived by her Brothers-in-Law Fred Herrick (Pam), Mark Herrick, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she cared for very much.

The family wishes to thank Doctor Emily Collier and her staff at the Smilow Cancer at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford Connecticut for their support and treatment during her illness. Josie would appreciate contributions to the American Cancer Society or the Smilow Cancer Center at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford CT in her memory.

A celebration of Josie's life will take place on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the New Comer Funeral Home in Colonie NY. Calling hours will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. She will be buried with her parents in a private service to be scheduled at the convenience of the family-