My condolences to the family. It’s been a wonderful 20 years chatting with Paul during appointments.  I loved hearing him talk about Hartford over the years.  He’s the epitome of a good man.

My normally joyous trip to H&P today (because you know your car will be fixed  honestly) turned sour when Paul, Jr informed me of his Dad’s passing. I can only echo all of the wonderful things prior commenters have said of Paul’s generosity, dedication, and kindness. Paul, Jr and Raul are carrying on the shop’s character and integrity wonderfully.  I will always remember Paul’s sing song voice and enthusiasm with which he’d tell me what was wrong with my vehicle. I feel blessed to have known him. Condolences to family and friends.

I’m so saddened and surprised to learn of Paul’s passing.   He was a wonderful person that I enjoyed each time I saw him at H&P where he serviced my vehicles for many years.  He didn’t look his age and never missed a day of work.  He was truly dedicated to his customers and will be sorely missed.  
Sincerest condolences to his loving family whom he adored.  I know his son, Paul, will miss him everyday at H&P where they worked together. 
Paul was a special guy and I will always remember his kindness and sincerity.  
Kevin Coombes

Without any doubt, Paul was the very best independent automotive mechanic ever. Nearly fifty years ago when I owned several used cars, I met Paul at his So, Whitney St. garage on a Friday long after quitting time. Paul was still working. Paul was a modest, humble, and hard-working man, who truly loved the work he did. Whenever necessary, I knew I could stop by, explain my problem, and Paul would always make time to "look at it." An honest businessman and a talented mechanic, Paul loved his work and he did it very well. Paul will be greatly missed.

A Happy Summer memory of Paul in August, 2018.

We are deeply saddened to learn of Paul’s passing. Paul was our dear friend and our mechanic for 35 years. He was kind beyond measure, warm, honest and the most talented mechanic on the planet. He kept our old cars running long past their sell-by dates. Over the years he became part of the fabric of our lives. We always wished our rides to work were longer so we could continue our conversations  about family, his beloved dogs, his garden, the ways the world, the state and the neighborhood had changed in ways large and small. For us and so many of Paul’s customers, his shop was like the best center of a small town, and Paul was always its benevolent mayor. Paul was our kind and generous friend. We have so many fond memories of him—he delighted in giving our children rides on the lift during Saturday morning oil changes; he inspected with a protective eye the first car our son purchased; he would call me down to the shop on late August days to collect buckets of basil that he grew.

We wish Paul’s entire family, and especially his son, comfort and peace during this difficult time. Paul will always have a place in our hearts and we miss him beyond words.

With deep affection and love—

Nancy, Ricky, Alexander and Oliver Porter

Paul was my friend and mechanic and I was his doctor.  He cared for  my cars and those of my children and always wanted to please.
He was proud of his Italian heritage, a proud American , and proud of hard work.  Alyce and I will miss him.  David Hild

You would not find a nicer, kinder, more honest man than Paul Cianfaglione. We were his customers for over 50 years. Paul exemplified the adage, "If you truly love your work, you never work a day in your life."  

More than anything else, Paul loved his family. For years, after a long day of work, Paul would stop in to see his mother and have a cup of coffee before he went home to his family.  And his face would beam whenever he talked about his grandchildren. 

May you enjoy eternal life with God, Paul. You will be missed.

Lynn & Allen Hoffman

Paul was one of the best people I have known.  I enjoyed going to his shop (a few times a year since the mid-1990’s) and chatting with him and his son about cars, family, gardening, sports, the state of the world, taxes, etc.  I tell everyone who is looking for a mechanic to go to H&P because  he is impeccably honest; you could trust him if he said you needed work done or to buy or not by that car.  I definitely will miss him. My condolences to your entire family.  Alvin Wilson.

Very sad to hear of Paul’s passing. I have been a customer of H&P for 49 years and will truly miss the finest mechanic and nicest, most genuine and thoughtful human being.
I am the beneficiary of a multitude of happy memories from my visits to H&P. Thank you Paul!!
Tom Carson

To all the members of the Cianfaglione family, especially Paul,

We were so sorry to hear of  Pelino--"Paul's"-- passing.  For more than two decades, H&P, the wonderful car service that he oversaw, took good car of our older vehicles.  But even more than that, Pelino was always ready to have a conversation when we dropped off or picked up the cars.  He took such pride in his work and in his family.  He was a philosopher, with astute comments about our world.  And he genuinely cared about his customers.  We remember an Italian man telling us years ago, in Umbria, that "Americans socialize in order to do business, but Italians do business in order to socialize."  In other words, it's not the profit, but those human connections are what are most valued, and we always felt that with our wonderful and caring "Paul," Pelino.  We miss him greatly and feel lucky that his wonderful son--an equally kind man--carries on the business.  Our deepest sympathy to you all!  Clare Rossini and Joe Byrne

We were so saddened to learn of Paul’s passing. Our family are loyal customers of H and P for over 40 years and both Paul and his son have treated us more like family than mere customers. Over the years, we got to know Paul quite well and we often had great conversations about everything from life in Italy, to what’s going on in the U.S. today, to our favorite restaurants in and around Hartford. Paul held strong opinions and I have to say that I agreed with most of them. He was also the most knowledgeable person I know about all things automative. He could fix most anything; a true craftsman. He was proud of his family, as he should be. He was a very special person. We pray that his loving memory and the good work he performed throughout his life will bring comfort to his family and many friend during this difficult period. We will miss him terribly.
With the greatest affection,
The entire Pearlman family

To Paul's family,
I was a customer of Paul's at H&P for many years. He was an honest, caring gentleman whose work I could always count on.  My sincere condolences to your family.
Don Popillo

"Paul" Cianfaglione...
A more courteous, honest and gentle man has yet to be born.  
Paul was an angel, sent to be a light among us and  brighten life in the south end of Hartford.  
"May his tribe increase."

My wife and I went to H&P about 20 years ago, while we were dating. She had a radiator problem with her car and had been referred there by a friend. We instantly hit it off with Paul – and he became like an uncle to us. He would often chastise us for our car purchases - we generally owned German cars and he thought we should buy more reliable brands. But regardless, he would always make things better for us. Whenever possible, we referred friends and family to H&P. Even my mom became a regular customer. She would take her car there and sometimes just stop by to say hello and ask a quick question. It was nice to have someone we trusted that she could go to. Paul was always so welcoming, and just one of the most honest people you could know. Our condolences to his family. We’re sure you all will miss him greatly, even more than customers like us. 

Dwight, Katie and Ellen

I am so honored to have known uncle Paul. He was truly a wonderful man. What I remember most about him was his continuous effort and dedication to his business. A diligent, productive and committed individual. He had such a humble presence and a beautiful smile. I will miss him dearly.

OBITUARY

Pelino Cianfaglione

9 November, 1937 – 6 October, 2023

D'Esopo Funeral Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services