Arden 'dondo' Passaro,

Arden N. 'Dondo' Passaro, Sr., 85, of East Hartford, loving husband of Mary Jane (Laraia) Passaro, peacefully went to be with Our Lord on Thursday, (December 24, 2009) at Hartford Hospital with his caring family by his side. Born in Hartford on March 13, 1924, a son of the late Arturo and Pasqualina (Palmisto) Passaro, Arden had resided in East Hartford for the past 51 years. Arden was a graduate of Weaver High School-Class of 1942 in Hartford and went on to graduate from the Marc Porter School of Tool Design in 1948. Arden was a proud U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, where he served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, three Major Campaigns with the 111th infantry, and also in the Gilbert-Marshal and Palau Islands, where he earned the Combat Infantry Mans Badge, a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Arden was an active life-member of the Disabled American Veterans-Unknown Soldier Chapter 12 of East Hartford. Arden was employed for thirty years by the Colts Industry in Hartford and was the Unit Recording Secretary of U.A.W. Local 376 for 22 years. Arden was a faithful and loyal communicant of St. Mary's Parish in East Hartford where he was a lector for many years, and a volunteer for Bingo. He also volunteered in the School Partnership Program in East Hartford where he spoke to the students about his experiences in World War II. Besides his beloved wife, Mary Jane, of fifty-eight years, Arden is survived by a son, Arden N. Passaro, Jr. of East Hartford; three adored granddaughters, Alana Quinto and her husband, Justin, of Manchester, Nikki Passaro of Andover, Bentley Passaro of East Hartford; three sisters-in-law, Rose Barvir of East Hartford, Joan Martin of Glastonbury, and Diane Evanski of California; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Along with his parents, Arden was predeceased by his two brothers Joseph Passaro and Silvio Passaro both of East Hartford. Funeral services will be Tuesday (December 29th) at 9 am from the D'ESOPO ? East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Mary's Church, corner of Maplewood Avenue/Main Street, East Hartford. Burial with full military honors will follow at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery (Section J), Bloomfield. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Monday (December 28th) from 3-7pm. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.