Michael A. D'Onofrio

Michael A. D?Onofrio of Wethersfield and Naples, FL, entered into rest on May 1, 2010, along with his wife of 58 years, Nella (Giarratano) D?Onofrio, as a result of a tragic car accident. Michael was born in Hartford on November 1, 1927 to the late Michael A. D?Onofrio and Bridgetta (Montano) D?Onofrio. He graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford in 1946. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict attached to the 45th Infantry Division, and was stationed in Hokaido, Japan. From 1951-1961 he was with the reserve unit of the 76th Infantry Division. He joined the Hartford Police Department May 26, 1952, retiring after 27 years. After his retirement from the HPD, he worked for the Chief State?s Attorney?s Office, Department of Consumer Protection and the Public Defender?s Office. Michael was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of the Elks, on the Board of Directors of the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (INEOA), past president and long-time member of the Connecticut NEOA, vice president of the Veterans? Police Association and a member of the Church of the Incarnation Men?s Club. He was a man of great faith. He loved his country and his church. He is survived by his son, Michael D?Onofrio and his wife, Janet of Middletown, daughter Diane Howells and her husband, Harry of Bradenton, FL, daughter Jeanne Lynch and her husband, John of Rocky Hill, and daughter Carole Bongiolatti and her husband, William from Torrington, seven grandchildren: Nina and William Bongiolatti, Kelley and John Lynch, III, and Nicholas, Tricia and Abbey D?Onofrio. He also leaves his brother-in-law Antonino Giarratano of Pinellas Park, FL, brother-in-law Rosario Giarratano and his wife Pearl of Wethersfield, brother-in-law Anthony Miele of Wethersfield, brother-in-law Joseph Ierna and his wife, Gloria of St. Petersburg, FL, sister-in-law Margherita Masters and her husband Charles, also of St. Petersburg, FL, and brother-in-law Philip Cohun of West Hartford. He also leaves a very devoted cousin, Delores Spera. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Josephine Miele, sister-in-law Elena Cohun, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joseph and Elsie Boucher, brother-in-law, Michael Atwood, cousin Art D?Onofrio and wife, Margaret, and cousin Robert D?Onofrio. He also leaves 33 wonderful nieces and nephews and their spouses, many grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many cousins. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and godfather. And he was a good friend to all who knew him and will be sadly missed. Funeral services will celebrated on Saturday, May 8th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Burial with military honors will be at Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. Relatives and friends may call at D?Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield on Friday from 3-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association-CT Chapter, 5 Brookside Drive, P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492 or to the NEOA of CT, Phoenix Park, Suite 10, 29 North Plains Highway, Wallingford, CT 06492-5838. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.