Virginia Edna (Mocerino) Milano, affectionately known as “Gig” to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 99 years old.
Virginia was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1926, to her Italian-born parents, Vincent and Julia Mocerino. She grew up surrounded by the traditions, values, and strong sense of family that she would carry with her throughout her long and beautiful life.
On June 12, 1949, Virginia married the love of her life, Vincent Milano. Together they shared 29 wonderful years of marriage and built a life and family filled with love. Vincent passed away on December 5, 1978, but the love they shared remained an important part of Virginia’s life and the family they created together.
In 1967, Virginia and her family moved from the Bronx to Yorktown Heights, New York, where she would make her home for the remainder of her life.
Virginia dedicated an extraordinary 43 years to Crompond Elementary School in Yorktown Heights, where she worked as a teacher’s aide. Generations of students and staff had the privilege of knowing her during her many years at the school. With her characteristic energy and dedication, Virginia continued working well into her later years, finally retiring at the remarkable age of 93.
Above all else, Virginia’s greatest joy was her family and friends. She loved cooking, entertaining, and filling her home with the people she loved. She was an avid and talented crocheter, creating countless pieces over the years for family and friends. Whether she was preparing a meal, crocheting something special, or simply spending time surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Virginia was happiest when her family was together.
She was the heart of a large and loving family, and the traditions, memories, and love she created will continue through the generations that follow her.
Virginia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Vincent Milano; her parents, Vincent and Julia Mocerino; her brothers, Joseph, Vincent, and Charlie; and her sisters, Margaret, Mary, and Julia “Dolly.”
She is survived by her sister, Anna Ressa and her husband, Joe; her brother-in-law, Willy DeMatteis; and her children, Thomas Milano and his wife, Jean; Juliann Simpson and her husband, Bruce; and Rosemarie Schneck and her husband, Dave.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Christopher Simpson and his wife, Emilie; Ryan Simpson and his wife, Mary; Jessica Dinneny and her husband, Brian; Daniel Fuentes; Jacob Schneck and his wife, Annie; Tiffany Schneck; Nathan Schneck; Stephanie Schroder and her husband, Danny; Bethany Schneck; Gabrielle Charrette and her husband, Peter; Patrick Milano and his wife, Eileen; Megan Milano; and Jillian Milano.
Virginia’s legacy continues through her beloved great-grandchildren: Jeremiah, Melina, Sara, Shiloh, Noah, Julia, Sienna, Lily, Delaney, Willow, Reagan, Lucy, Sabelle, Aurora, and Kaia, and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.
Virginia lived nearly a century, and throughout those 99 years she built a life defined by love, family, hard work, and devotion to those around her. To those who knew and loved her, she was simply “Gig”—a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose presence helped make a family a family.
Her life was long, her family was large, and her love will live on in all of them.
