Michael Christopher Bellobuono

1941 - 2012

Michael Christopher Bellobuono, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on Feb. 18 surrounded by some of the many family members and friends who loved him deeply. Mike, the son of Michael and Nazzarene "Nancy" (Faraci) Bellobuono, was born in Middletown on Dec. 14, 1941. He attended Cromwell High School, where he was a basketball, track, and baseball star. He later studied business at Dean Junior College and Babson College and law at Suffolk University. He also served in the U.S. Army National Guard. In 1967, Mike entered the criminal law practice of his esteemed mentor and friend, the late Francis J. McVane. He has practiced law in the South End of Hartford for 45 years and was founding partner, with M. Patricia McVane, of the law firm McVane, Bellobuono, Kuzmak, Wiezalis & Bibisi-which, he said, after his family, was the most important thing in his life. He also served as state prosecutor in Georgia, no. 14 in Hartford and as commissioner of the MDC in Wethersfield. The Hartford Chamber of Commerce acknowledged his many valuable contributions to the community with a Man of the Year Award in 1993. Mike, once a pitcher for the Cape Cod League, was both an avid Yankees and Knicks fan, and he coached his sons' basketball and little league teams. His musical group, the Unitones, recorded with Candy Records and performed on American Bandstand and on the same stage with Chuck Berry and other top artists. Mike loved the game of golf and was a member of Wethersfield Country Club and TPC. He was also co-owner of the First & Last Tavern in Middletown. A hard-working, passionate, and generous man who loved people, he took great pride in his large, extended family and his always growing circle of friends. He has benefited, supported, and inspired many people in his life-the mark of a great man-and he will be profoundly missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Geraldine (Cannarella); children, Christopher Michael and his wife, Frances (Lorenzi), of Cromwell; Michael John and his wife, Lauren (Cardone), of Wethersfield and Jonathan Michael and his fiancée, Cassandra Sawyer, of Glastonbury. He leaves his sisters, Dolores Fiorella, of Cromwell, Gloria Maynard, of Higganum and Eleanor Tomaszewski, of Middletown. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Alexandra McCarthy, Patrick Jones, Samuel Bellobuono, Joseph Bellobuono and Charley Bellobuono. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Geraldine Cannarella, two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, 12 nieces and nephews, 12 great-nieces and great-nephews, one great-great nephew, and one great-great niece. He is predeceased by his brother, John Bellobuono, his brothers-in-law, Salvatore Fiorella, William J. Maynard and Henry Tomaszewski, his niece, Jean Fiorella and his father-in-law, Jack Cannarella. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Hartford Hospital's CB2, who brightened Mike's days and became trusted friends.

Funeral services will leave Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10:15 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield for an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Calling hours are Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Be The Match Foundation, National Marrow Donor Program for stem cell research, 3001 Broadway Street N.E., Suite 601, Minneapolis, MN 55413-1753; www.marrow.org and to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; www.stjude.org.
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