Philamena "Honey" Cesaro

Shortly after celebrating her 97th birthday, Philamena “Honey” (Laganaro) Cesaro, of Torrington, the loving wife of the late Thomas Cesaro and matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2024, at Jefferson House, Newington. Born in Torrington on July 8, 1927, the youngest daughter of the late Michael and Mary Laganaro, she attended local schools and graduated from Torrington High School, Class of 1945 where she established lifelong friendships.

Other than cherished trips to New York City with Tom, she spent her life “on the hill”. It was there she raised her own family while also serving as caregiver, chauffeur, confidante, advocate and debate partner for generations of family, friends and neighbors. An avid reader and a woman with a powerful sense of conviction, she was always able to offer her opinion without judgement and her support without question. She cultivated an individual relationship with each family member and friend, accepted them for their authentic selves and championed their causes while also reminding them to be grateful. Honey was blessed with an observant and generous nature that inspired her to recognize the needs of others, and to do whatever she could to fulfill those needs. Honey appreciated both sitting alone with the latest best seller and a glass of Galiano or at a large table surrounded by her loved ones, with good bottles of Italian red, spicy food, especially David Tognalli’s hot peppers and equally spicey political “conversation.”

Immensely proud of her Italian heritage and family, she leaves a legacy of strength, unwavering love, generosity and a deep respect for hard work and education.

She is survived by her devoted sons, Mark and his wife Janet Cesaro of West Hartford and David and his wife Diana Cesaro of Avon. Grandma Honey will also be missed by Gina and her husband Justin of McMurray, PA, Michael and his wife Tina of Avon, Matt and his partner Shawn of San Francisco, CA, Cassie and her husband Scott of Boston, MA and Zac of Oxford, England, all of whom she loved fiercely. GGH, as she was affectionately known, would beam with pride when discussing her great grandchildren, Reid, Hudson, Charlotte “Charley”, Morgan “MJ” and Milo.

Auntie Mimi will remain in the hearts of her nieces and nephew, Bernadette “Bunny” Ferry, Rosalie Doherty, Richard Corbo and their families. A special place in Honey’s heart belonged to Patricia Harris and all of the Tedescos – her family on the hill.

Besides her husband and parents, Honey is now reunited with her sisters, Rose Ferry and Isabelle Corbo and her brothers-in-law, Richard Ferry, Michael Corbo, Joseph Cesaro and Nicholas Cesaro.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Workman in Torrington and Jefferson House in Newington for the exceptional care and friendship they provided.

To honor her memory, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in support of Reid Cesaro, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 - Online Donations - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org), or a tribute donation to Breakthrough T1D (formally Juvenile Diabetes Foundation) https://www.breakthrought1d.org/

Visitation will be held at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St. Torrington, Connecticut on Monday, July 29th from 9:00am to 11:00am, followed by a brief funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Francis New Cemetery, Torrington.

When she said “I love you more” she meant it, and now, we pray she knows how much we all love her!