Rev. Loretta Giannattasio

Loretta was born in Harvey, North Dakota to Ed and Louise Wendschlag on August 26, 1930. As a child she recalled many amazing memories of numerous good times with her family. Her parents were very active in the church and involved in special events and revival meetings. Loretta loved to attend church and to sing hymns and songs about the Lord. At an early age she was recalls a particular service where she felt a stirring in her heart to dedicate her life to Jesus and began to get involved in Praise and Worship at her church.

When relatives from California would visit they would encourage them to move to California so in 1942 they packed up and moved everything they owned and bought a home in Oakland, CA. She graduated from Patton Christian School and attended Butler's Business School. She was also very involved at Rose of Sharon church in San Leandro. She later attended Oakland Revival Time Tabernacle and had the privilege of traveling with a music ministry team for two-and-a-half years and then with an evangelistic team for a year. She learned to play many church instruments including the piano, organ, and a vibra-harp!

Returning home from her travels she met a young sailor, named Johnny Giannattasio, who was attending her church while stationed at Alameda Naval Base. He was fine young Christian man who felt God's calling on his life. They became friends and their friendship grew as they both felt that God had brought them together for a purpose. When Johnny was discharged from the Navy He returned to his home in Connecticut and then to Bible School to prepare for the ministry. Though far apart they stayed in touch and in the summer before his junior year were engaged to be married. In the summer before his senior year they were married on August 14, 1954.

After their honeymoon Loretta enrolled and took classes at the same college so she could support Johnny in the ministry. After graduation they felt called by God to work in the evangelistic field. Though their home was in Bridgeport, CT, they traveled and ministered for decades along with Loretta's brother Melvin and his wife, Bobbie. During this time (1958) their daughter, Virdene, was born and joined them in evangelism. In 1981 they returned home to Bridgeport where Johnny became Senior Pastor at the First Assembly of God, 1287 Park Ave., Bridgeport, CT. While there they also evangelized in Ghana, West Africa together and they would spend over 42 years at First Assembly. Along with her husband, Loretta was involved with Pivot Ministries, Teen Challenge, Time For a Change and Hosanna Ministries. She truly had a heart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost souls in Bridgeport and around the world.

Loretta Giannattasio is preceded in death by her Husband Rev. John Giannattasio, her father, Ed Wendschlag, her mother, Louise Wendschlag, Brother, Melvin and Sisters: Virdene Wendschlag and Darlene Leff, a Grandson, John-Anthony Charles Compton. She is survived by her dedicated daughter, Virdene Compton and her husband, Charles Compton, loving Granddaughter, Alysha Compton-Deleon and her husband, Christian Deleon, Grand Daughter-in-law, Crystal Compton, great-Grandchildren, Jacob Anthony Compton and Kara Faith Compton-Deleon along with nieces, nephews and many cousins.

A wake will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 4pm-8pm at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Tpke, Monroe, CT. Additional visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30-11 am followed by funeral services beginning at 11 am, Friday, June 21st, 2024 at Spadaccino Funeral Home in Monroe, CT. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT.

Arrangements are being made by Spadaccino Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers it was Sister Loretta's wish that Memorials be given to the Giannattasio Charitable Remainder Trust, PO Box 9058, Bridgeport, CT 06601 to be designated for missionary work for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.