Francesco Citino

Our beloved Dad, Francesco (Frank) Antonio Citino from Newington, passed away peacefully at Hartford Hospital a moment after his 92nd birthday.
He was born in Torre Di Ruggiero, a Province of Catanzaro in Calabria, Italy. He and his sister Grazia came to the United States in 1953 with little more than a suitcase and a dream for a better life.
Soon thereafter he met Mary Ann Grossi his wife and partner for 67 years. Together they raised five children and instilled in each of them the value of hard work, determination, and cultural traditions.
Frank was a hard worker and a self taught entrepreneur, he and Mary Ann owned and operated M & F Market in Hartford's South End, Piacere Restaurant and Francesco's Restaurant also in the South End.
Frank had a life long passion for making and preparing quality food and wine. He loved to speak about the importance of quality food and ingredients to anyone who would listen. Always eager to pass down his knowledge of all things food, he would take the time to teach many of his family "how to" make homemade sausage, meatballs, sauce and wine.
Each spring, Dad would prepare his massive garden for a harvest that would last through the frost. He experienced such joy in teaching his great-grandchildren how to garden as well. He loved to attend their many sporting events, sometimes attending and cheering for more than one event on the same day.
Frank was truly happiest when surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and of course, great food.
Frank and Mary Ann made family traditions come alive by gathering around the table filled with good food and rich conversation, always connecting us to our roots and to one another.
Frank leaves behind to cherish his memory, his three daughters, Elizabeth Citino (Karen), Linda Saundry (Edward), Dawn Meucci (Jeffrey) and his two sons, Frank Citino (Nancy) and Joseph Citino (Laurel).
Frank's twelve grandchildren will miss him terribly, Anthony Meucci, Dominic Meucci, Michael Beers (Capri), Frank Beers (Heather), Danielle Newman (Paul), Angela Egan (Patrick), Nicole DiGirolamo (Michael), Dawn Baeza (Alejandro), Joseph Citino, Frank Citino (Nicole), Lisa Saundry and Edward Saundry.
Frank was blessed to have a close and loving relationship with each of his fifteen Great-Grandchildren.
Frank leaves three sisters, Grazia Fraietta, Theresa Verillo, and Maria Parafati and his close friend and brother in-law Joseph Parafati. Frank also leaves numerous nieces and nephews in CT, NY, Toronto and Italy.
Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Ann, infant daughter Angela, and his great-grandson, infant Michael Beers, sisters Rose Lombardo, Francesca Iannuzzi, and Anna Barbieri.
Rest in heavenly peace Daddy. We hope you have found your place in the sun with Mom.
At Frank's request services were privately held. A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of Frank's life will be held at a later date. To leave a condolence, please visit FarleySullivan.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francesco (Frank), please visit our floral store.