Peter R. Papallo

Peter R. Papallo, 72, of Bristol passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, May 28th after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Rudolph C. Papallo and Edith Frasco Papallo of Meriden. Pete is survived by his loving husband of 27 years, Gary Jerolmon of Bristol.

In addition to his husband, Pete is survived by his sister Suzanne Paddock and her husband Kevin Paddock of Meriden. He is also survived by his beloved nieces Katherine M. Paddock and Kerry E. Paddock, both of Meriden, as well as two Great nieces, Sophia and Karina and one Great nephew Daniel. He is also survived by several cousins.

Pete grew up in Meriden, attending local schools and graduating from Orville H. Platt High School with the class of 1968. Pete developed a love of politics and government in his early teens. He spent hours on election nights studying the returns of all the national, state, and local elections. He tried, in vain, to explain the electoral college to his younger sister but never gave up on educating her. He went as far as drawing maps and graphs which finally met with some success. Although, they were fundamentally different, Pete more cerebral, his sister more physical, they shared a deep love and respect for each other that endured throughout their lives.

He had a special relationship with his nieces. They adored him and he adored them in return. When he babysat them when they were little girls, he would make them call him the king in order to get what they asked for. To this day, on his birthday, every envelope would be addressed to the “king”.

Pete continued his education at Drew University, graduating Cum Laude in 1972 with a Bachelors degree in Political Science. Pete planned on being a professor of political science, but his life took a new path. Needing a job after graduation, Pete made the decision to take a direct care job at Boys Village in Milford CT, working with troubled youth and loved it!

Pete’s interest in social work deepened, leading him to getting a Masters of Science degree from the College of Education at the University of Bridgeport in 1978. He also went on to earn a Masters in Counseling, as well as his Masters in Social Work, from Smith College in Massachusetts, graduating in 1990. He continued to hone his social work and therapy skills at both Danbury and Bristol Hospitals. Pete also worked as a clinical social worker at Wheeler Clinic in Bristol. He had a successful private practice in Torrington, facilitating group therapy which he loved. It was in 2006 however, when he began his work as an extension professor at the UCONN School of Social Work, where he found his true calling, teaching. His years of teaching and mentoring students enrolled in the UCONN masters program were his happiest. Pete was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2013 from the CT Branch of the National Association of Social Workers. Among his proudest accomplishments as an instructor was developing new courses. He was instrumental in redeveloping the school's LGBTQ elective. He was a trusted mentor to many LGBTQ-plus students. His life’s work was dedicated to helping people through his advocacy as both a clinician and teacher. Pete retired in 2021 and enjoyed reading, spending time with his husband, dinner group, family, and the many friends he made over the years.

A celebration of Pete’s life will he held on Saturday June 17th at Abbey Cremation Service

(look for Brooklawn Funeral Home sign) 511 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

I lieu of flowers kindly consider a memorial donation to:

Our Companions- P.O. Box 956, Manchester, CT 06045 www.ourcompanions.org

or

CT Public, WNPR Radio- 1049 Asylum Ave. Hartford, CT 06105 www.ctpublic.org

Pete’s family would like to thank the nursing staff of the Saint Francis Hospital Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for the compassionate, dedicated, and professional care they provided our husband, brother, and uncle.

For online condolences please visit www.brooklawnfuneral.com