Daniel Petrella

Daniel Petrella, 77, of East Hartford, loving husband of 52 years to Catherine (Nuss) Petrella, passed away on Sunday, (February 19, 2012) surrounded by his caring family at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Hartford on June 11, 1934, a son of the late Donato and Angela (DiCioccio) Petrella, he had been a resident of East Hartford since 1962. Prior to his retirement, Daniel was employed for over 35 years by the City of Hartford-Parks and Recreation Department. Daniel was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was an avid sports enthusiast, especially as a loyal fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants. Most of all, Daniel was a proud grandfather who enjoyed devoting his time to his eight special grandchildren. Besides his beloved wife, Catherine, Daniel is survived by a son, Daniel Petrella and his wife, Diane, of East Hartford with whom he made his home; three daughters, Elizabeth ""Kitt"" Person and her husband, Steven, of Manchester, Terry Kegley of East Hartford, Letizia ""Letty"" Garcia and her husband, Mike, of Vernon; eight adored grandchildren, Angela, Vincent, and Monica Petrella, Amanda and Steven Person, Kerby and Kendel Kegley, and Victoria Garcia. He also leaves a sister, Letitia Jarvis and her husband, Frederick, of Estero, FL and formerly of Newington; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and several dear friends. Besides his parents, Daniel was predeceased by a sister, Raquel Hannon and her husband, William Hannon, Sr. of East Hartford.

Funeral services will be Thursday (February 23, 2012) at 10:30 a.m. at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, (Section #27), Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, (February 22, 2012) from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Daniel's name may be made to the American Heart Association , 5 Brookside Drive, P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06429 or to the John A. DeQuattro Community Cancer Center, 73 Haynes Street, #A, Manchester, CT 06040. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.