On Wednesday, May, 13, 2026, we lost a very special person, Thalea (Conte) Hunter, 70, passed away at the Wynn Hospital with her loving family by her side.
Thalea was born in Utica, November 2, 1955, the second oldest of six children to the late Thomas and Rose (Truglio) Conte.
She was educated in local schools, a 1974 graduate of T.R. Proctor High School, and later attended MVCC, graduating in 1986.
Thalea worked with her cousins, the Crash Brother’s at their scrap yard for over twelve years. She later took a position with the City of Utica as a Deputy Registrar, for over twenty-eight years. She loved that job so much and enjoyed working under Joan Brenon and Melissa Sciortino, and even after retirement, continued to work part time.
Thalea loved to bake, especially Christmas cookies, and she loved to share them with everyone. She enjoyed any holiday and always would make every one special, by cooking and decorating the house.
At one time, she was a very active board member at Anita’s Steven Swan Humane Society and also volunteered at the Donation Center at Redeemer Church, where her work continues on through her daughter, Carin.
Thalia is survived by her beloved husband, David; her children, Carin and Frank Crouse, Gary Velletto and Daniele, and Antonio DeSantis; stepchildren, Jennifer and Jae Constabile, and Catie Ryczek; grandchildren, Tiana and Darius, Mariana and Aarel, Gio, Kenny, Frankie, Robbie, Gary, Giana, Carmine, Giuliana, Dougie, Franko, Sadie, David, Leah, and Abree; great grandchildren, Santino and Keegan, and three on the way; sisters and brothers-in-law, MaryAnn and John Porubic, Annette Conte, and Rose and Marc Myers; in-laws, Andrew and Linda Hunter, Sue and Mike Mills, Carla and Donnie Albright and Deborah Hunter; also many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends with whom she shared special relationships, including the Basi, Giovinazzo, DeSarro, Marggi, DelGenis, Conte, and Velletto families; especially acknowledging her niece, Nicole Taylor, with whom she shared a very special relationship; her cousin, Candy Rizzo; her lifelong friends, Luanne and George Murad, Diane Broccoli, Fred Greer and the Carzo and Chandler families; and most of all her beloved canine companion, “Gigi”. She was predeceased by her sister, Susan Roberts; her brother, Joseph Conte; and stepsons, Zachary Hunter and Douglas Brown.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation on Monday, May 18, from 1 to 4 p.m., with a prayer service at the conclusion of calling hours at 4 p.m., with Pastor Mike Servello, Jr., officiating, at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., at Mohawk St., Utica. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to ICU nurse, Brian Carnes at Wynn Hospital for the extraordinary care and compassion he demonstrated to their mom during this difficult time.
Online memorials at MattFuneralHome.com
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