Donald Anthony LaPenta

Donald A. “Docco” LaPenta, 85, of South Windsor and formerly of East Hartford, peacefully entered into eternal life at his home with his loving family by his side on Thursday, July 7, 2022. He was born in Hartford on July 28, 1936, son of the late Dominic and Antoinette (Cavanna) LaPenta. He was a lifelong resident of East Hartford. A graduate of East Hartford High School, class of 1954 he attended Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Docco was a talented drag racer, winning the state championship in the pro stock division in 1961. Prior to his retirement he was the owner and operator for many years of LaPenta and Company. Donald was musically talented. In his younger years he played the trumpet in a band with his cousin George. He loved to sing and would sing endlessly to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed going to drag races, the beach, reading, solving cross-word puzzles, and tinkering with things. He was always willing to lend a hand to his neighbors and friends. Donald was proud to volunteer as a foster grandparent with Big Brothers Big Sisters and enjoyed being a foster grandparent at Pitkin Elementary School in East Hartford. As a result of all his efforts, Donald was awarded “Foster Grandparent of the Year” multiple times. Most of all, Donald was a proud and devoted father and grandfather who cherished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren.

Donald is survived by his son, Dominic A. LaPenta, II of East Hartford; two daughters, Robyn J. Jones of South Windsor with whom he made his home, and Jill Harris and her husband Bobby of Eden, NC; eight adored grandchildren, Amanda Jones, Olivia Jones and her fiancé Zack Duell, Emma Jones, Hannah LaPenta, Dominic LaPenta, III, Danni Dagon, Bobby Dagon, Andrew Dagon; and several great-grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Paul LaPenta and his wife Barbara of South Windsor; a brother-in-law, Michael Camp of Naples, FL; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Donald was predeceased by a son-in-law, Daniel F. Jones of South Windsor; and two sisters, Gloria Camp of Vernon and Maryann Tessier of East Hartford; brother-in-law Robert Tessier; and granddaughter Sydney Layne Chilton.

Funeral service will be Tuesday (July 12, 2022) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church of St. Junipero Serra Parish, 673 Ellington Road, South Windsor. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, (Section B), Hopewell Road, South Glastonbury. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Tuesday morning. Donald’s family will receive relatives and friends at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Monday (July 11, 2022) from 4 – 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Donald’s name may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters-The Foster Grandparents Program, 30 Laurel Street, Hartford, CT 06106. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.