Edward J. Insalaco

Edward J. Insalaco, 87, of Willimantic, died Saturday, May 19, 2012, at his daughter Nancy's home in Westerly, R.I., with his family and loved ones at his side.
Eddie was born Sept. 5, 1924 in Willimantic, the son of the late Charles Insalaco and stepmother Maria, and the youngest of five siblings (Mary, Jimmy, Lenny, Tony and Dick).
Eddie grew up in Willimantic. He attended Windham High School and was employed by Electro Motive in Willimantic after High School. He joined the Army during World War II to serve his country. He was taken prisoner by the Germans and was a POW in Italy. During a forced march north, Eddie escaped his captors as a result of his ability to speak and understand Italian and with the aid of a local Italian woman. Upon returning to Willimantic, Eddie and his brother Lenny started their barbering business, Lenny and Eddie's Barber Shop, which the brothers operated for 37 years.
Eddie was predeceased by his wife, June (Abare), and is survived by his three daughters, Pam Costello and her husband, Jim, Patsy Seretny and her husband, Mickey, and Nancy Patterson; and three grandchildren, Rochelle Weinrauch, Shayna Weinrauch and Brian Dunn.
He was an avid tennis player and golfer, well known on the local courts and actively playing into his mid-80s. He was the best competitor always with a ready compliment, always a gentleman and always up to a challenge. Eddie was so many things. He was a teacher, musician, artist, home handyman, father, husband, lover, loyal and trusting friend, investor, comedian, and jokester. Eddie loved taking pictures, making home movies and always said his computers were keeping him young and informed.
A prayer service of remembrance will be held at Saint Joseph's Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, Conn., on Thursday, June 14, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (not a Mass).
A private family burial will be held at St. Joseph's cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, South Office, Wakefield, RI 02898, www. HHCRI.ORG, or the VFW in Willimantic, VFW Post 1724, 1415 W. Main St. Willimantic, CT 06226. For online condolences and comments, please go to www.rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com