OBITUARY Anthony Pietraroia May 8, 1932 – September 8, 2018 Anthony Benedict Pietraroia, 86, of Windsor, CT, loving husband of Caroline (Mercier) Pietraroia, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2018. Anthony was born on May 8, 1932 at Hartford Hospital, son of the late John Joseph and Filomena (Orsini) Pietraroia. A lifelong resident of Windsor, Anthony graduated from John Fitch High School.
Anthony proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War from July 1953 to October 1954. During his time in the service Anthony was a member of the 38th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.
Anthony also brought back the colors for the 2nd Division to Fort Lenis in Washington State. Anthony worked at NUSCO as a computer analyst and programmer, retiring in 1991 after 36 years of dedicated service. In 1959 Anthony met his love Caroline and they married in 1962.
They shared an amazing relationship and enjoyed wonderful vacations visiting Bermuda, Paris, Martha’s Vineyard and Las Vegas to name a few. Their most memorable vacation was to Italy, where they visited his parents’ hometown of Sepino, province of Campobasso. During their visit Anthony was able to meet family and experience the Feast of Saint Cristina.
In 1965, Anthony fulfilled his childhood dream to fly. He received his aviation license and became a member of the 43rd Aviation Flying Club of Brainard Airport, Hartford. During his flying career he flew a 150 and a 172 Cessna, and was part of a 30 year partnership in a Mooney which he loved.
Anthony was also a member of the AOPA, Valiant Command where he worked on the flight line every March for over 32 years. During this time Anthony established great friendships with those who shared his same passion for vintage airplanes. Anthony especially loved vintage airplanes from World War II along with acrobatic airplanes.
A special thank you to Tom Reilly for the numerous flights in the B25J “Killer Bee”. Anthony also enjoyed NASCAR racing, on television or at Stafford Speedway. Anthony appreciated time spent with his family and friends.
He and Caroline especially enjoyed winters in Florida where they were part of a wonderful community of aviation friends. Anthony will always be remembered as a kind hearted, gentle man who was loved and respected by all who knew him. In addition to his beloved Caroline, Anthony leaves his sister-in-law Beverly Pietraroia of Windsor, brothers-in-law Kerwin Gagne, James Gagne and Alfred Gagne, Uncle Donald Jacques and his wife Peggy along with his nieces and nephews.
He also leaves several cousins that were a big part of his life. Anthony’s passing leaves a huge void in the hearts of Giuseppe Orsini and his wife Patricia and his Godchild Cristina Orsini Harris. In addition to his parents, Anthony was predeceased by his brother Michael Pietraroia.
Anthony’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. from the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 379 Broad Street, Windsor. Burial with military honors will be at Riverside Veterans Cemetery, Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Anthony’s memory can be made to support the restoration of WWII aircrafts c/o Tom Reilly, 85 Allan Drive, Douglas, GA. 31535. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.
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