Peter Joseph Bartinik Sr.

BARTINIK, Peter Joseph, Sr., 82, a longtime resident of Groton, and devoted husband and loving father, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday October 13, 2024 surrounded by family.  Peter was a well-known attorney and practiced law in Groton for more than 40 years.  He loved spending time near the water and with his extended family.  He and his surviving wife, Marianne Gelormino Bartinik, were married for 59 years.

Peter was born in New London on June 24, 1942, the oldest child of William J. Bartinik and Frances Mariani Bartinik.  He was also the oldest among his 17 cousins growing up in Groton.  Peter played football for Fitch High School, graduating in 1960.  He attended the University of Connecticut, graduating with a degree in Accounting in 1964, also serving in the U.S. Army Reserves (ROTC).  He graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1967.

While at UConn, Peter met Marianne Gelormino, a nursing student from Torrington, CT.  The couple married in 1965.  Peter and Marianne lived briefly in the Hartford area while Peter attended law school and Marianne worked as a nurse.  The couple later moved to Virginia while Peter served as an attorney for the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Captain, but they soon returned to Groton.  In 1975, they built a house and became some of the first residents of Mumford Cove, where they lived for the next 50 years in the same house, raising four children.  Peter’s legal work was instrumental in helping to protect the Mumford Cove shoreline when the waters had become polluted in the 1970s.  Among other things, he renewed the deeds and other governing documents for the Mumford Cove Association, serving on its Board in various capacities for more than 40 years.

Peter was a well-known trial lawyer throughout Connecticut.  He served on the Board of Governors for the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and was Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.  He was a partner with O’Brien, Shafner, et al., and later formed the Bartinik Law Firm, practicing with his son and daughter-in-law for two decades.  The law firm’s blue sign, on the corner of Routes 1 and 117, was well recognized by locals driving home from I-95.

Peter was an avid boater and fisherman.  He enjoyed taking the family water skiing on Mumford Cove, spending days at Napatree Point, or catching bluefish and stripers at The Race.  All his children could clean and filet fish at a young age.  Peter was active in many charitable and social organizations, particularly the Groton Lions Club, Groton Lodge of Elks, and Italian-American Citizen Club.

Along with his beloved wife, Marianne, Peter is survived by his four children: Peter Bartinik, Jr. and wife Lori of Pawcatuck, Jennifer Cola and husband Chris of Annapolis, Maryland, Catherine Argento of Groton, and Douglas Bartinik and wife Marissa of West Hartford; and seven grandchildren: William Bartinik, Rebecca Bartinik, Kate Cola, Kara Cola, Casey Cola, Luke Cola, and Shane Cola.  Peter is also survived by his sister, Lydia Anderson and husband Stephen of Port St. Lucie, Florida.  Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Blanche Ann Bartinik.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Sunday October 20, 2024, at the Byles Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street in Groton.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12 noon Monday October 21, 2024, at St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church, 69 Groton Long Point Road in Groton.  Interment with Military Honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic.

The family would like to thank its caregivers and the staff of Masonicare Hospice for their service during Peter’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter’s memory to the Mystic Lions Club, c/o Susan Jensen, 142 Ocean View Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355.