John Anthony Barbagallo

1911 - 2011

NORFOLK - John Anthony Barbagallo died peacefully with his family at his bedside Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. Originally from Wethersfield, he was born Feb. 21, 1911 in Washington, D.C. He grew up in Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts moved to Hartford, finally settling in Wethersfield.
The oldest of six children, John owned Dun-Rite Upholstering in East Hartford with his brothers Tony and Sam for over 50 years. He met and married Rose Meucci who predeceased him. At the time of her death they celebrated 73 years of marriage. Living most of his married life in Wethersfield, he was a communicant at Sacred Heart Church. When John, Rose and her sister Victoria moved to Norfolk, he became a communicant at Immaculate Conception Church.
John was a devoted bocce player, bowler and in his youth, an amateur championship tennis player. He was past president of the Italian American Home in Hartford, past president of the Christopher Columbus Society in Hartford and recipient of the Italian American Home of Hartford's Man of the Year.
He was a prolific writer of prose and poetry. "Getting words from Grampa" was an honor regardless if you were friend or family member. Having Grampa write and read birthday greetings, poems, odes, speeches, or words of congratulations or condolence were always moving and memories treasured by everyone.
John also loved gardening and was never happier than when he was elbows-deep in earth and his vegetables. With his wife Rose, poetry and gardening closest to his heart, he always referred to his wife as "the only Rose in my garden." He was also a long-suffering, yet die-hard Boston Red Sox fan.
John is and always will be much loved and deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his brother Anthony Barbagallo of Connecticut and Florida; daughter and son-in-law Roselee and Nicholas Fanelli of Norfolk; his son Louis Barbagallo of Norfolk; granddaughter Laura Fanelli of Wethersfield; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Nicholas and Stephanie Fanelli of Irvine, California; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Jonathan and Tammy Barbagallo of Norfolk; and granddaughter and grandson-in-law Jennifer and Jarod Toczko of Marlborough, Massachusetts.
He is also survived by seven great-granddaughters: Francesca and Cecelia Fanelli, Rachel and Samantha Barbagallo and Melanie, Avery and Hailey Toczko.
In addition to his wife Rose, John was predeceased by his brother Samuel Barbagallo, sisters Josephine, Mary and Angie, sister-in-law Victoria Meucci and daughter-in-law Laverne Barbagallo.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Oct. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kenny Funeral Home, 39 Maple Avenue, Norfolk, CT. Mass will be Monday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, North Street, Norfolk. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, North Street, Norfolk, CT.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Laverne Barbagallo Scholarship c/o The Norfolk Children's Foundation, PO Box 322, Norfolk, 06058; Norfolk Volunteer Ambulance, PO Box 399, Norfolk, 06058; or Foothills VNA, 39 Union Street, Winsted, 06098.