Joseph Andrew Roberto

Joseph Andrew Roberto, 68, of East Hartford, beloved husband of Deanna (Petrolito) Roberto, passed away Sunday, (March 15, 2009) at Manchester Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bridgeport to the late Elizabeth and Fred Roberto. Joe was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 191 in Bridgeport and Local 1035 of South Windsor. He was a retired truck driver. For the past ten years he was co-owner of Legislative Consultants LLC, a lobbying firm working in the Connecticut General Assembly. Joe proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps (Semper Fidelis). He was a member of the East Hartford Moose Family Center and was past Governor of the lodge. Joe will be remembered for his love of cooking, the New York Yankees, fishing and his art of conversation. Besides his wife Deanna, he is survived by his mother-in-law Barbara Petrolito; his sister-in-law Lorie Gessay and her husband Bob and their children, Shawn, Nicole, and Gina; his brother-in-law Salvatore Petrolito, Jr. and his children, Nicholas and Dayna. He is also survived by his best friend and business partner John E. Hollis, Sr. and his wife Lori and their children, John, Jr., Fred, Jessica and Michael. To the Hollis children and grandchildren he was known as Uncle Joe. He is also survived by Santo Alleano and his wife Virginia and William 'Chief' Gallucci and his wife Jeannine of West Warwick, RI. Joe, Santo and William were all as close as brothers. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law Salvatore Petrolito, Sr.; his brothers, Rick and Jim; his son Christopher and his dog Champ. A special appreciation goes out to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Manchester Memorial Hospital and thanks to William 'Billy' DiBella, and the family at D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, who have assisted us in making the arrangements. A memorial service will be celebrated by Father James Nock at Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Road, East Hartford on Saturday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of his life at the East Hartford Moose Family Center at 404 Prospect Street, East Hartford. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe's name may be made to the Moose Charities-Mooseheart, 155 International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.