Obituary of Antoinette R. Tallerino

Mrs. Tallerino went to be with Our Lord, February 2, 2019. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Toni was born in Struthers, Ohio to Ralph and Rose (Morell) Barone and was one of 11 children. Toni grew up with a talent and love for music. She was a country-western vocalist on the radio as a teenager, earning an opportunity to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. She was married to Carmen Tallerino (deceased) and the couple moved to Syracuse when Carmen returned home from the Pacific after World War II. Upon arrival in Syracuse, they found work and began investing in real estate. Toni started out working as a freelance storefront window trimmer for downtown Syracuse retail stores before joining Sears and Roebuck. Ultimately, she ascended to both division manager and NYC buyer. The Tallerino’s raised their family near Most Holy Rosary Parish in Syracuse where all three of their children attended school.

Mrs. Tallerino also took courses in art appreciation and furniture antiquing at the Everson Museum of Art, cultivating her lifelong hobbies of collecting Victorian art and furniture. With her daughters Kathy and Karen, she was a pioneer in the boutique fashion retail business in downtown Syracuse, owning several boutique stores over the years. Toni spent her career in that industry, most recently at Bonwit Teller in Syracuse. After retiring, Toni continued to enjoy her hobbies, projects, and travels. She especially enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and Charlotte to visit her children and grandchildren, who were most important to her.

Carmen and Toni loved to host dinner parties and cookouts.

They always prepared extra because there was “always room for one more at the table” and “you never know who is going to show up.” Toni had a gift for storytelling; she could always find a way to connect with others. She made people feel special and had plenty of love to share with everyone that came into her life. The Tallerino home was the place where their friends and their children’s friends were always welcome.

Antoinette is survived by her brothers, Edward Barone of Struthers, Ohio; Frank (Sandy) Barone of Maryland; her sister, MaryAnn (Tom) Caccamo of Syracuse; her three children, Kathleen Kirby (James) of Syracuse; James Tallerino of Syracuse; and Karen Kinney (Jay) of Las Vegas, NV; four grandchildren, Will Kennedy of Charlotte, NC; Jon Paul Kennedy of Syracuse; David Kennedy (Jessica) of Raleigh, NC; Krystina Kinney of Las Vegas, NV; one great-grandchild, Andrew Kennedy of Charlotte, NC, with whom she proudly shared her birthday; and her step grandchildren, Alex (Beth) Kirby; Ellen (Mike) Romano; Todd (Tina) Kirby; and Pam (Dave) Keohane.

Funeral Services will be held at St Michael’s and St Peter’s Catholic Church; 4782 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215, Saturday February 16, 2019 at 10am. Burial will be in Onondaga Veterans' Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made in Antoinette’s memory to the Rev. Donald J. Kirby S.J. Scholarship Fund at Lemoyne College, 1419 Salt Springs Rd. Syracuse, N.Y. 13214.