Joy Bacci

Joy (Cerreta) Bacci, 98, of Avon, beloved wife for 63 happy years of the late Julius E. Bacci, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 22, 2021. Daughter of the late Jane (Frabbito) and Attorney Ralph Cerreta, she was born in June 1923 and raised on Staten Island, NY. Joy attended P.S. 11, where her mother was the principal, New Dorp High School, and received a B.S. degree in Education from New York University, also took graduate courses at Teacher's College, Columbia University. After graduating from NYU, where both she and Julius attended, Joy taught at Tottenville High School and Curtis Evening High School. In addition to teaching, Joy also worked for her father. Her main career was with American Telephone and Telegraph Company, where she headed the Employees' Stock Plan. Joy and Julius were married September 1948, at her parent's summer home in Bayville, New Jersey, where she and her family later spent their vacations. In 1953, they moved from Staten Island to Wethersfield, later to Newington, and then West Hartford, making friends in each community. Joy was involved with her Ham Radio, volunteered at the White House during the Watergate era, worked for Russell Associates, and served as a receptionist for Weight Watchers. In January 1987, Joy and Julius moved to Farmington Woods. An active resident, she served on the Fountain Committee, the Clubhouse Committee, and the Farmington Woods Woman's Club, where she chaired several committees, but mostly the phone committee. She and Julius were featured in the February 2008 issue of In the Woods. Joy loved living in Farmington Woods. She spent many vacations by the ocean in Florida, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. She and daughter Barbara had a memorable trip to Calitri, Italy where her father was born. Joy held long-term memberships with Delta Zeta National Sorority, and the home bridge group that started in the late 50's when she was a member of the West Hartford Junior Woman's Club, which was featured on the front page of the December 16, 2010 issue of West Hartford News. She was also a member of the Hartford Bridge Club where she served as Club Historian, the former Connecticut Opera Guild, and the former Tunxis Community College Lifelong Association. She had many interests, loved Manhattan where her mother was born, and especially enjoyed Broadway Theater. Joy is survived by her sons, Edward Wm. Bacci of Avon, and Richard Ralph Bacci and his wife, Michele, of Old Lyme; grandson, Michael A. Bacci of Groton; nephews, Ralph Santo, Paul Santo, and Robert Santo and their families; and her Cerreta and Villanova cousins, and the Fitzsimmons and Volsario families. She also leaves many special friends. In addition to her husband Julius, she was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Barbara Jane Bacci Mirque; sister, Jane Cerreta Santo and brother-in-law, Sal Santo; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Bacci Winters. Her family will receive friends on Tuesday August 31, 2021 from 10-11 a.m. at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11 a.m. Chaplain Sean C. Kennelly officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. Masks should be worn when inside for her services. Her service may be viewed online using the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/4814084327 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Children's Medical Center online at https://www.connecticutchildrensfoundation.org/. Checks made payable to Connecticut Children's Foundation, Inc., may be mailed to: Connecticut Children's Foundation, Inc., Attn: Memorial Gifts, PO Box 412901, Boston, MA 02241-2901. Please include Joy Bacci in the memo line. Or to a charity of the donor's choice. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com