Joseph Castagnaro

1934 - 2021

(Lisbon). Joseph Castagnaro, 86, passed away on April 29, 2021 at home in Lisbon. He was  born on May 15, 1934 in Norwich, son of the late Louis F. Castagnaro and Anna (Czubanski)  Castagnaro. Joseph married Cavá (Ingraham) Castagnaro on January 5, 1991 in Westerly, RI.  She survives him.

He enjoyed cooking, gardening, jazz, wood working, and playing sports,  including baseball, basketball, tennis and golf and was a member of the Elks Club.   Joseph (Joe) was a wonderful dad and beloved husband; with a quirky sense of humor, forever  entertaining his family with his crazy song lyrics and ditties. He came to fatherhood and married  life late in life but embraced his role with devotion, dedication and love. He was more than kind,  and in spite of his gruff presentation he was a very soft hearted and an extremely caring person.  His greatest pride and devotion was to his family whom he loved unconditionally. He will be sorely missed and leaves a gigantic hole in our lives. He will also be missed at the daily coffee  breaks with his friends at the local McDonalds. 

Joe had a typical depression era upbringing, working hard all his life, even as a kid, working with  his father and on his own. His early years were spent in Norwich and he used to regale us with  his stories of growing up running through Norwich, stealing fruit and pies from the local  merchant carts and causing general mayhem along the way. Life was a lot different then and  people had to get by the best they could. Some other activities he engaged in were swimming in  the Quinebaug and Shetucket rivers with his older brother where the dye from the local textile  mills was dumped and coming out different colors, dynamiting the rocks above the now  Norwich Ambulance Company with his cousin Bobby Chabot, fishing expeditions with his  father and uncles and good friend Dick Duda in Westerly. Joe served two years in the Army and  was stationed in Germany. After his Army discharge he went to college in New Orleans for  another two years, while working part time at the Ct. Bureau of Highways deciding after his  college stint to work full time at ConnDOT for 37 years. 

In addition to his spouse, Joseph is survived by his sons, Mario Castagnaro and his wife, Linda Santelices of Sewickley, PA and  Joseph Castagnaro of Lisbon, CT; daughter, Maria Castagnaro of Valencia, CA; nieces and  nephews, Luanne Castagnaro Normoyle, Victoria Castagnaro Dukes, Louis J. Castagnaro, and  Christopher Normoyle; and grandchildren, Sofia Castagnaro, Enzo Castagnaro, and Luca  Castagnaro. Joseph was predeceased by his brother, Louis F. Castagnaro and sister, Barbara  Castagnaro.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s  Church, Jewett City.   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, facial coverings/masks are required. Interment to follow at  Pachaug Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Connecticut Special Olympics, 2666  State St, Suite #1, Hamden, Ct. 06517-2232.