Salvatore A. Camilleri

Salvatore A. Camilleri, 95, of Wethersfield and Old Colony Beach, Old Lyme, Connecticut passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 surrounded by family in the comfort of his home. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut on June 28, 1922, son of Antonio and Sarina (Guardo) Camilleri. He is now reunited with his loving and beautiful wife Gloria (Cacase) Camilleri who predeceased him in 1997. He leaves behind his son and two daughters, Anthony J. Camilleri and his wife Mary Ann of Cheshire, CT; Anita and her husband Joseph Russo of Wethersfield, CT; and, Gloria and her husband Peter O’Keefe of Wethersfield. He leaves seven grandchildren; Daniel and Brian Camilleri, Michael Russo, Joseph Russo and his wife Alison; Patrick, Abigail and Kirby O’Keefe and, one great granddaughter, Camille Russo. He also leaves two brothers, Dr. Joseph Camilleri and his wife Elizabeth of Hamden; S. Patrick Camilleri of Wethersfield; a brother in law, Dominic Scalia of Wethersfield; a sister in law, Joanne Ferraina of Windsor; as well as many nieces and nephews who were near and dear to his heart. Sal was predeceased by a sister, Mary Scalia; a sister in law, Amalia Camilleri and his brother in law and sister in law Dominic and Mary (Cacase) Ferraina.

During World War II Sal was with the 375th Army Service Band, stationed in Boston, MA where he played the clarinet in the band sending off and welcoming home our troops. After leaving the service he took up residence in Wethersfield where he and his brother founded the S.P. Camilleri Insurance Agency where he worked from 1948 to 1986. He was the past president of the Wethersfield Exchange Club; a member of the Young Italians, past president of the Old Colony Beach Club Association and a member of the Federation of Beaches in Old Lyme; and, Sacred Heart Men’s Club in Wethersfield. After retirement Sal volunteered countless hours of his time at Hartford Hospital and enjoyed working behind the deli at the A & P Supermarket in Old Lyme until the age of 88, allowing him to interact with his “beach friends” on a daily basis.

Sal was a communicant of Corpus Christi Church in Wethersfield and Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, CT.

He cherished his summers at Old Colony Beach which he referred to as “God’s Country”. He loved life, people, cards, music, dancing, cooking and food. But most of all he loved his family! He was loved and respected by all who crossed his path, a consummate gentleman and role model. He will be dearly missed. His simple wish would be for all to celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing. May he rest in Peace.

The family is eternally grateful to Mayfair Idun, and all of his caregivers, for the compassion and care which they provided over the last twenty months of his life. Your devotion to Sal made our lives and his better than words can describe. Your sacrifices allowed Sal to live the remainder of his life in comfort surrounded by his loving family.

Calling hours will be Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to meet directly at church. Burial will immediately follow at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Memorial Donations may be made to Hartford Hospital – Fund Development, 80 Seymour St. Hartford, CT 06106. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.