Rosa Boni Obituary

Rosa Boni

Rosa Boni, 82, of Lehighton, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

She was born on Feb. 11, 1941, to the late Pasquale and Petronilla (Lomangino) Casamassima in Bari, Italy.

Rosa immigrated from Italy to New York City in 1958 when she was 17 years old and worked as a seamstress. She would leave New York after starting a family and move to a small town in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. It is here she began her first venture as an entrepreneur, opening her own clothing manufacturing business.

Rosal Sportswear grew to 60+ employees and became a manufacturer for companies such as Alfred Dunner, which was then sold in Macy's. She closed Rosal Sportswear after 21 years in business but this would not be the last of her achievements.

Rosa, along with three of her children, operated Erin Shores Motel, in Wildwood, N.J., and eventually Rosetta's, an Italian restaurant business in Nesquehoning.

Rosa was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family meant everything to her. Her greatest joy was preparing traditional Italian dinners for family and friends on Sundays.

Rosa enjoyed going to the casino and supported the Senior Citizens of Pennsylvania throughout her life by purchasing scratch-off lottery tickets. She often said an Italian phrase that translated "crazy who plays and crazy who doesn't play" and insisted if she continued to play she would win "big." The good Lord and the State of Pennsylvania Lottery Commission found it fit to give it all back, and then some, in the final years of her life.

Rosa was a long time parishioner of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church, Lehighton. She was a devout Catholic and was steadfast in her faith. She was never without her cross necklace and started and ended her days in prayer. She carried the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer card with her wherever she traveled, including every hospital visit. She lived by the sayings "God will provide" and "dai, e ti sara dato - give and it will be given to you."

Preceding her in death were her siblings, Frank Casamassima, Maria Casamassima and Dorothy Miele.

She is survived by children, Aldo (Tyra) Boni, Pasquale "Pat" (Kathy) Boni, Tonia Boni Bastone and Lorena (Brian) Zebert. She was lovingly called "Nonna" by her grandchildren, Miranda (Ben) Wommer, Gabriella (Dominic) Lorenzo, Calina and Dante Boni, Andrew, Ava and Michael Zebert and Adam and Sofia Bastone; great-grandchildren, Weston, Declan, Evelyn and Adelin Wommer. She is also survived by a sister, Margie (Joseph) Bernardini; and many nieces and nephews.

Rosa was a remarkable, loyal and resilient woman. She had an infectious personality and a unique sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Third and Coal streets, Lehighton. Interment, Holy Saviour Cemetery, 2575 Linden St., Bethlehem. Call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, and 10-11 a.m. Thursday in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, in support of her granddaughter, Ava Zebert, https://thegivingblock.com/donate/pcflv/.