Rita Burgio, 84, (nee Abbruzzese), of Ventnor NJ, passed peacefully in her home in the early morning hours on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her four children, Paul Burgio (Patricia), Stephen Burgio (the late Anna Marie), Donna Simpkins (Fred), and Pam Darley; and her twelve grandchildren, Stephen (Ashley), Brian, Ashley, Michael (Megan), Erica, Amanda, Freddie, David, Allie, Nick, Olivia and Kenny. She is predeceased by her parents, Frank "Pops" and Louise "Mom-mom" Abruzzese, her beloved husband, Sebastian (Ben) Burgio and many other relatives and friends.
Born in Gettysburg PA, on August 20, 1936, she grew up an only child but was constantly surrounded by her cousins. Of all 27 first cousins, she was said to be the "favorite" - the one everyone always wanted to be around. She carried that title throughout the remainder of her life.
At the young age of 15, she met the love of her life, Ben. Rita and Ben's relationship grew into a beautiful love story. They married four years later and immediately started a family. Their family continued to grow and their small row home in South Philadelphia was quickly filled with lots of love, laughter and happiness. Family and friends alike constantly gathered in their home where they knew there would always be delicious food cooking on the stove, Sinatra playing in the background and good company to be enjoyed.
In 1969, they purchased the Ventnor shore house, which became their permanent residence in 2000. This house proved to be no different than the one on Ritner Street. The front door was always open to all and there was seldom a time when those four walls were not filled with family and friends. Rita welcomed everyone into her house and treated them all as family. She took on the role as adoptive mother, aunt and grandmother for many more than just her own.
Everyone who knew her loved her and she will be so missed by all. She will be remembered for her true South Philly Italian demeanor and tough love attitude. She always spoke her mind and never sugar coated anything. We always joked if she gave you a hard time, that meant she liked you. She touched countless people throughout her life - from the ice cream men on the beach and the local corner store grocery worker to her closest family members and everyone in between. It's hard to quantify all the lives she touched and the immeasurable effect she had on so many. There have been countless condolence messages received expressing their deepest gratitude for everything Rita had done for them and how she shaped the person they are today. She had the ability to bring everyone together in both the toughest times and the happiest moments.
She loved to cook and had the chef genes in her blood, however, she never quite learned to cook for a small group of people. She loved the beach and lived in a bathing suit from the months of May through September. She even had specific bathing suits dedicated to cooking and cleaning, which she wouldn’t dare be caught wearing outside of the house. She rightfully
claimed her throne on Lafayette beach and could always be found sitting in the queen's red chair with a cigarette in her mouth and pinochle cards in her hands. She was always surrounded by her kids and grandkids plus countless other friends.
She was a friend to all and a therapist to many. While she didn’t always tell you what you wanted to hear, she always told you what you needed to hear. All who sought her opinion trusted her advice. She was well- versed in all aspects of life.
She believed she was placed on this earth to be a wife, mother and grandmother and she gracefully perfected those roles. She lived her life on earth to the very fullest and was completely prepared for the next life. While the family and friends she leaves behind will miss her dearly, those who have gone before her are now welcoming Rita with open arms.
Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 7-9 p.m. and Thursday 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Pennsylvania Burial, Co., Inc., 1327-29 S. Broad Street (parking on premises). Funeral mass will follow the viewing Thursday, 10 a.m. at Saint Rita of Cascia Church, 1166 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery Yeadon. Donations can be made to your favorite charity in memory of Rita. City, State and Federal Guidelines for COVID 19 will be followed at Funeral Home, Church, and Cemetery.