Anthony Badolato

1923 - 2016

Anthony (Tony) Badolato, 92, of Plainville, devoted husband of Catherine (Mastrianni) Badolato, passed away peacefully Monday, February 22, 2016 at home comforted by his loving family. Born June 15, 1923 in New Britain, son of the late Nicholas and Angelina (Adorno) Badolato, Tony was a longtime resident of Plainville and a member of Our Lady of Mercy Church. A proud and decorated veteran of World War II, Tony served in the U.S. Army in Company A, 543rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment in the South Pacific and participated in battles and campaigns in New Guinea, the Bismarck Sea and Luzon, Philippines. Tony was employed at the Job Plating Company for many years and U.S. Postal Service in Plainville for 17 years. He was a member of the Plainville Fire Department for 25 years, retiring as a life member in 1984. He was also a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Board for many years, retiring as an honorary life member. A member of the Central Connecticut Association of Football Officials Board for many years, Tony served as a Board President in 1985 and became a member of the Distinguished Service Honor Roll in 1987. In 2007, the Plainville Sports Hall of Fame inducted Tony as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. He supported and coached in many Plainville recreation programs such as Midget Football, Little League (Cubs), Alumni Baseball and Norton Park Summer Basketball leagues. He also coached the "Job Platers Basketball Team" in the Industrial League and played against such notables as the "All American Red Heads and Magicians". Tony thoroughly enjoyed baking homemade cookies and pizza in the cellar. Yearly trips to Daytona Beach included Tony and his three buddies having fun doing skits and entertaining the entire motel complex. He was instrumental in starting the "Ole Gas House Gang" which was a gathering of the Cherry Street (New Britain) neighborhood boys. Married to his beloved wife, Catherine, for 68 years, Tony is survived by his three daughters, Linda and husband, Winslow Lowe, Toni and husband James Matyszyk and Kathleen Badolato; four grandchildren, Marc Fiorillo, Bernie Thurman, Trevor Eckhart and Carissa Ann Owen and husband Patrick; great granddaughter, Sophia Rose Owen; sister, Connie Samuelian; sister-in-law Orsalina Badolato; brother-in-law, Michael Mastrianni, Sr. and wife, Honey; sister-in-law Marylou Reccord and husband, Eddie; and Bavone family from Oakville/Watertown. Tony was predeceased by four brothers, John, Edward and wife Katherine, Frank and Dominic and wife, Gladys; and four sisters, Rose, Florence and husband, Dominic D'Andrea, Sophia and husband, Paul Mallia, Catherine and husband Joseph DeBlasio; brother-in-law Maurice Samuelian, and predeceased bother-in-law Alfred Mastrianni, Jr. and wife Alice. Tony also leaves 14 godchildren, many nieces and nephews and friends. Tony's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all those who gave loving care and support (and you know who you are). Special thanks to the Plainville Fire Department, the Veteran's Administration in Newington, Disabled American Veterans, Dr. Kevin Baran, McLean Hospice and Homecare, Interim Homecare. Tony and Catherine always looked forward to weekly visits from Nat and Jimmy. Funeral, with military honors, will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2016 beginning 9:00 a.m. at Bailey Funeral Home, 48 Broad Street, Plainville, followed by a Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 98 Broad Street, Plainville. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are Monday, February 29, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions, in Tony's name, may be made to the Plainville Fire Company Memorial Scholarship, 77 West Main Street, Plainville, CT 06062 or McLean Hospice, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. For online expressions of sympathy please visit www.BAILEY-FUNERALHOME.COM.