Antonina P. "Ann" Uccello

Antonina "Ann" P. Uccello, age 100, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2023. Ann was born in Hartford, CT. on May 19, 1922 to the late Salvatore and Josephine (Bordonaro) Uccello. She was the second oldest of five daughters of a closely-knit Italian family.

Ann grew up in Hartford where she attended the Cathedral of St. Joseph elementary school. Ann was a devout Catholic and was guided by her faith throughout her life. Always hardworking, Ann graduated with honors from Weaver High School in 1940 and St. Joseph College (now the University of St. Joseph) in 1944. Her interest in politics led her to pursue graduate work in American government at Trinity College and at the University of Connecticut Law School.

In 1944 she began teaching at the East Hampton High School where she taught high school history; one of her students was future CT. Governor Bill O'Neill. She joined the G. Fox Department store in downtown Hartford in 1946. She became an Executive Assistant to owner Beatrice Fox Auerbach and remained at G. Fox until she was elected Mayor. Ann first ran for the City Council in 1963, with the encouragement from Mrs. Auerbach who told Ann that she would someday become Mayor. Ann was reelected to the City Council in 1965.

In 1967, Ann was elected Mayor of Hartford, as a Republican, in an upset victory over incumbent Mayor George Kinsella. She became the first female Mayor of Hartford and the first female Mayor of any city in Connecticut. She was one of the first women to be elected to a large American city in her own right; and the first woman to be elected to a US capital city. Her groundbreaking election made news both nationally and internationally. She was reelected Mayor in 1969.

Ann did not see herself as a politician but as a practical worker interested in policy and in helping and improving the lives of her constituents. Ann's inaugural address featured a liberal social agenda combined with fiscal conservatism. Her many proposals included legislation protecting children from lead poisoning, creating low and moderate income housing, and establishing an Info-Mobile to travel the city and meet with residents. Ann received national attention for her leadership and in a 1970 poll, 81 percent of the greater Hartford public approved of her job performance.

Ann was the only female to head a major US city during the turbulent Civil Rights era. On the night of April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, TN. and city streets all over the United States became filled with civil unrest. Against the advice of the Chief of Police, Ann decided that she needed to personally go into the community. That evening, "Mayor Ann" helped calm the demonstrations and spent the night visiting with residents in the street, connecting with her constituents and helping to ease the pain and confusion. Ann's career in Hartford politics blended leadership and care for the city's people, earning her much respect.

In 1971, Ann was chosen by President Nixon to become the Director of the newly created Office of Consumer Affairs at the US Department of Transportation in Washington, DC. Ann became one of the highest ranking women in the Administration and continued in this position until 1977, serving in the Administrations of Presidents Ford and Carter. While in this position, Ann was selected to deliver the keynote address at the First International Conference on Public Transport and the People in Paris, France. Ann traveled extensively across the United States to conferences and meeting with citizens to address their concerns and to promote safety throughout the nation's public transportation system.

Ann returned to Connecticut in 1978 and became active locally as a trustee of numerous organizations including Hartford Hospital, the Hartford Boys and Girls Club, and on the Board of the Hartford Public Library. Due to her love of learning, Ann was always fond of the library and her time on the Board. Ann also received the Amita Award in Government (honoring Italian American women) and the Salvation Army leadership Award. Ann holds an honorary degree from the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. Ann was always deeply grateful to the University for the outstanding education she received there; and throughout her life remained involved with the staff, faculty and students at her beloved USJ.

Later in life, Ann once again changed careers and obtained a property/casualty insurance license and a real estate salesperson license. She went to work in her brother-in-law's insurance agency, the Gustafson Agencies, Inc., in Farmington, CT and continued there on a part time basis until fully retiring in 2004. Soon after, Ann lost her beloved older sister, Vinnie; Ann sold the house they shared and moved to Chatfield Senior Living in West Hartford. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there and made many friends.

In 2008, the former Ann Street was renamed Ann Uccello Street by unanimous vote of the Hartford City Council. In 2016 her parents hometown of Canicattini Bagni, Sicily honored Ann by renaming the street where her father was born as Via Ann Uccello. In 2015, Ann had her biography written by Paul Pirrotta telling her life story titled "Hartford Mayor Ann Uccello-A Connecticut Trailblazer."

Ann was predeceased by her older sister Vincenza Uccello, and by younger sisters Virgilia Martini and Carmela Gustafson. Ann is survived by one sister, Nellie Romaine, of Bloomfield, CT. She was also predeceased by brothers-in-law Alfred Martini and Stephen Romaine. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Russell Gustafson, of Avon, CT. In addition, Ann leaves her devoted nephew David Gustafson and his wife Jacqueline of West Hartford. She also leaves her niece Laura (Gustafson) Sweeney of Simsbury, CT and her companion William Grant of Simsbury; and grand nephew James R. Sweeney of Westminster, CO; and grand niece Alison Bell and her husband Christian of Oakland, FL. In addition, Ann leaves behind many cousins and extended family.

Ann also leaves her devoted caregiver Haddy (Ida) Mbye; and Ida's son Benny Asmah who gave much joy to Ann in her final years. Both Ida and Benny continue to be a special part of Ann's family.

Funeral Services for Ann will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick/St. Anthony Catholic Church, 285 Church St., Hartford, CT. The Most Reverend Peter A. Rosazza, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Hartford will be presiding. This is the live link to the church: https://spsact.org/livestream/ Here are the actual livestream links for the funeral on Saturday.

https://venue.streamspot.com/event/Mzc2OTk1Mw==

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ7-adAqsE0

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064756144297

Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT has charge of arrangements. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Friday, March 24, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is welcome. Ann loved the City of Hartford and all its people. Donations in Ann's memory may be made to the University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 and may be directed to either the Ann Uccello Endowed Scholarship or the Uccello Fund for Women's Leadership. To share a memory of Ann, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com