John J. Avignone

John J. Avignone, 79, former resident of Wethersfield; West Palm Beach, Florida, and most recently West Hartford, passed peacefully on Saturday, August 5, 2017, with his loving family at his side. In the last year he experienced the oppressive symptoms of frontal temporal dementia before a collapsed lung led to his final days. John was born February 5, 1938 in Stamford Connecticut, the second of six children of Joseph and Maria (Robotti). He attended Fairfield University on a basketball scholarship. At age 20 he began work at Kennedy Peterson, an investment firm in Hartford. There he also met the new secretary, Gloria Mascolo. They fell deeply in love, eloped after six months, and remained faithfully devoted to each other for 59 years. John later worked at Cooley and Company, Drexel Burnham Lambert, and Conning and Company, retiring as an over-the-counter market maker. To escape the rigors of the marketplace, John loved offshore fishing and playing golf, with Gloria and many friends at Wethersfield Country Club, where he was a member for 40 years. He was also a member of Hartford Canoe Club for 50 years. Standing tall at 6'4", John had deep blue eyes, a big smile and a full head of dark hair that showed little grey as he aged. He was known for his tireless work ethic, integrity, and propensity to provide and to save. Proud of his Italian heritage, he relished gourmet cuisine, wine, and opera of his parents' homeland. John also enjoyed fine menswear and tailored clothes, classical music, and nature's serenity. He and Gloria raised three sons and one daughter, proud and joyful in seeing each of their children pursue their own happiness in academic advancement, careers, families, civic engagement, and ministry. John delighted in talking and watching baseball, football and basketball games with Larry and Philip, savored the fare at dinners and parties prepared by Johnny, and delighted in hearing Aimee's melodious voice. His children share these memories and others, especially at summer homes in Martha's Vineyard and Westerly, Rhode Island with extended family and many friends. In retirement, John and Gloria lived in West Palm Beach and shared travels, time with six grandchildren, holidays and special occasions. John leaves behind the love of his life, wife Gloria, and four children and their families: Larry of York, PA; Philip and wife Sil, and children Joseph, Jeremy and Derek of Dracut, MA; Johnny A of West Hartford, CT; Aimee, husband Jim and children Jude, Cole and Sena of Birmingham, AL. John is also survived by four siblings, Peter, Paul, Joey, Laura, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Larry. The family extends deep gratitude to the memory care staff at the Brookdale Chatfield where he lived the last year as well as the doctors and care team at St. Francis Hospital for tending to John in his final days. Per John's final wishes, in place of funeral, his children are planning a celebration of his life on Saturday, September 9 at 11 am at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Arrangements are underway for ASL interpretation as well as live streaming of the service from www.ahcc.org for those unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Asylum Hill Congregational Church in support of its many ministries including outreach, music and fine arts. TO ACCESS THE LIVE STREAMING SERVICE, visit Asylum Hill Congregational Church's home page at www.ahcc.org. Look for the link that reads "Click to Livestream Sunday (begins 9:25am Sunday mornings)". This link for Sunday service is the same link for the 9/9 service at 11:00. The streaming / telecast will begin at 10:55