Peter V. Ciullo

Peter V. Ciullo
Loving Dad, Nonno, and Papanonno
Peter V. Ciullo, age 95, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 4, 2025, in the VITAS Unit at Saint Mary's Hospital. He was the devoted and cherished husband of the late Lucille (Fappiano) Ciullo, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Peter was born to the late Giovanni and Giuseppina (Sivilla) Ciullo on November 25, 1929, in Waterbury, where he remained a life-long resident.
Peter started earning money for his family in his early teens by playing trumpet in the Modernaires dance band, which included musicians who later formed The Playmates. By the time he was 15, Peter was anxious to get a job and wouldn't wait until he turned 16. His solution changed the course of his life. After supplying Jones Morgan, a Waterbury department store, with an altered birth certificate, Peter was hired. There he met his soulmate, Lucille.
As God and fate intended, before long they were married at Saint Lucy's Church in Waterbury, on July 9, 1949. Five sons arrived in succession and were raised with love and guidance particular to each. Peter took great pride in seeing his sons grow into responsible men, and in being rewarded with loving daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lucille was his life partner, dancing partner and travel partner, who he missed every day since she passed away in 2018, and with whom he is again united.
Upon graduation from Sacred Heart High School, Peter attended the Cybick School of Garment Cutting and Design in New York City, after which he opened Pete's Style Shop in Waterbury. Being a true people person, and with hungry sons to feed, this gave way to a long and varied career in sales and management. He also served his community as a member of the Waterbury Board of Alderman and the Waterbury Development Agency, and he worked for the Connecticut State Legislature.
In 1952, Peter joined UNICO, the Italian American service organization. He served in every office of the Waterbury chapter, including President in 1995 through 1997, as well as District Governor for Unico National. He represented Unico as Waterbury Italian Mayor for the Day in 1998 and served the Unico-Salvation Army partnership for many years as a Christmas time bell ringer and as Unico Chairman for The Salvation Army kettle drive. At the time of his death, he was the longest serving member of the organization in the country. Peter was also a founder of the Italian Heritage Club, as well as a former member of the Sons of Italy.
In his younger years, Peter was an avid fisherman and scuba diver. Late in life, he developed his interests and skills in cooking, painting, and convincing anyone who walked through his door that they should sit for espresso. He always had a joke ready to slip into any conversation. Every day he would claim, tongue in cheek, that he had to check the obituaries to see if he was in them. Today, as he would say, "Finalmente!".
Peter is survived by five sons – John, Peter, Paul, Matthew and Mark – who he raised to be men of compassion and character; by his five daughters-in-law – Cassandra, Claudia, Rosemary, Vita and Catherine – who he loved as his own; by his ten grandchildren and their spouses – Marissa (Joe), Jessica, Nicholas (Alyssa), Adam (Saryn), Matthew (Ryann), Bethany, Brittany (Canaan), Rebecca, Michael (Michelle), and David – to whom he was and will always be Nonno; and by his great-grandchildren – Sadie, Cody, Ivy, Jesse, Gavin, Lucy, Eliana, Nora, Roman, Jaxson, Haylie, Nina, Luca and Elena – who will carry their Papanonno's love and legacy far into the future. He is survived as well, by his beloved nieces and nephews, all of whom had a special place in his heart.
Peter was pre-deceased by his sisters, Consolata Ciullo, Pierina Petruzzi and Mary D'Angelo. Peter's family would like to sincerely thank everyone in the VITAS unit at Saint Mary's Hospital who ensured that his death was peaceful and dignified.
Peter's funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 9:00am from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury, to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for a Mass at 10:00am. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening from 4:30pm-7:30pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Peter's name may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com .