Carol Jean Quackenbush Cozzocrea

It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Carol Jean Quackenbush Cozzocrea of Amsterdam, New York, who passed away April 22nd, 2026, at the Slate Valley Nursing home in Granville, NY. She was 83 years old and she fought so bravely and courageously through each phase of her battle with Dementia/Alzheimer's disease graciously, never once losing the love and light within herself or for life. Carol was surrounded by love and devotion, music & song, gospel and prayer.

She was born in Fonda-Fultonville, the daughter of Charlotte Quackenbush, on June 25th, 1942, and graduated from Fonda-Fultonville High School. She was always an extremely sweet, fun-loving and kindhearted person who was an adventurous soul from the start. She adored flying with her step-dad Adam in his open-air plane for endless hours of aerial stunts such as throwing toilet paper out and then cutting it with the wing of the plane, lots of upside-down circles too! She frequently reminisced about those adventures' times being some of the "best of her childhood." Days of endless fun going to the ocean to go deep sea fishing. Summer weekends spectating at the iconic- Fonda Speedway watching her brother Ronnie Quackenbush drive his racecar as well as many other lifelong friends. And of course, the traditional get togethers, cookouts, birthday celebrations and gatherings of all kinds usually held at her belove Aunt Jenny Foody's house with all her cousins and most of the neighborhood. She also had many special memories at her mother's private nursing home in Fultonville where she grew up learning the value of a strong work ethic as her first job was a nurse's aid and caring for the residents, feeling that they were her extended "family".

She carried that infectious love and glow wherever she worked. Every employer was always impressed with her work. One of her earlier jobs was at Carmel's Diner in Amsterdam, where she met her future husband Salvatore (Sam) Cozzocrea from Amsterdam. They married and had two children. She became a devoted wife and an even more loving mother. She dedicated her life to giving her children the best childhood she could and making a beautiful home and life for them all.

She always made sure to capture all the best memories in film which turned out to be such a great gift from her to her family, reminding them of all those great memories. She always felt her children were her greatest achievement.

She was a longtime member of the Perth Bible Church and has always maintained a close relationship with God.

After the kids were grown, she had a colorful variety of endeavors. She opened a charming diner in Vail Mills "Our Country Kitchen" and then "The Warehouse Lounge." She also worked for many years at Saratoga Raceway in the security department, and Pompano Park Raceway in Pompano Beach, Florida. She lived in Southern Florida for many years and had two successful businesses there, "Carts by Carol" sales, rental, repairs and service in addition to "Carol the Carrot Lady" a mobile fruit and vegetable distribution service that catered to Pompano Park where so many loved and depended on her for all their golf cart and produce needs. Carol enjoyed the atmosphere at the tracks. She had a fondness for horses, even owning a few. She was not a stranger to betting and had a record that seemed to have more wins than loses. Carol made wonderful friends in Florida during her time living there. She regularly enjoyed getting together with her best friend Aundrea and others for dinner drinks and endless hours of line dancing and country music. She also enjoyed the Jitterbug dancing and playing the organ. They also played card games, visited casinos and many other adventures. She then returned to Broadalbin New York to finally retire and spend time with family and friends. In 2023 she had a fall, sustaining a brain injury which was a precursor to the onset of dementia. She was an incredibly unique, strong, loving and giving ray of light that is already very deeply missed.

She is predeceased by her paternal grandparents from Fonda, her mother Charlotte Quackenbush from Amsterdam, her aunt Jenny Foody from Fonda-Fultonville, her cousins, Darla and Kathy Riely of Johnstown, NY, her husband Salvatore Cozzocrea of Amsterdam, her daughter Sandra Lynn Cozzocrea ,her son Randolf Michael Cozzocrea of Broadalbin, and son-in-law Robert Bradley of South Pasadena CA. and Concord NH, her brother Ronald Quackenbush of Gloversville, NY, a niece Rona Quackenbush of Amsterdam, NY.

Survivors are a son Salvatore Cozzocrea (Tony) of Broadalbin, a daughter Charlotte Cozzocrea Bradley Terry of Concord, NH, two granddaughters Samantha Cozzocrea, Danielle Cozzocrea of Broadalbin, a great granddaughter Camilla Cozzocrea and several nieces and cousins near and far.

She will be interred in her daughter Sandra Lynn's plot at Maple Ave Cemetery in Fonda-Fultonville at a later date.