Gene Louis Tanasi

Gene L. Tanasi, 91, of Spring Lake Village, Southington, passed away on November 7, 2022 at Southington Care Center. He was born July 26, 1931 on the east side of Hartford, CT. He was the son of the late Frank Tanasi and Josephine Ciacero Tanasi. Gene was the beloved husband of Kathleen (Conaty) Tanasi for 42 years. He was a graduate of Bulkeley High School, Class of 1949. Gene proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Afterwards, he graduated from Hillyer College with a degree in Architecture and later with a Teaching Certificate from Central Connecticut State College. He was the Assistant Architect for the design of the Church of Holy Spirit in Newington, CT. He taught post graduate construction design at Hartford State Technical College and at A.I. Prince Vocational Technical High School where he also taught drafting and blueprint reading. He retired as the Chief Facility Engineer for the State Department of Education Vocational/Technical Schools after 40 years of State Service. Among his greatest professional accomplishments were designing homes and cabinetry for several area contractors. Gene was the President of the Spring Lake Village Condo Association for many years and in honor of his contributions, support and guidance to that community, the Tanasi Social Center was named in his honor. Gene was a lifelong member of the Hartford Elks and a member of the American Legion.

Gene was lovingly known as “Papa Gino” to his large and caring blended family and their friends. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Kathleen, son Richard Tanasi and his wife Sandi of Old Saybrook, daughter Christine Lau and her husband Raymond Garboski of Middletown, stepdaughter Kellie Wildhack of Avon, stepchildren Kathleen Atkinson, Martin Boo and Mary Ellen Boo, grandchildren Richard and wife Robin, Michele, Danielle, Michael, Taylor, Julia and husband Colin, Travis, Jalen and wife Caitlin, Ethan, Jonathan and great grandson Vincent. Gene was the youngest of his siblings who will miss him greatly. He is survived by his brother Paul Tanasi and wife Donna, sisters Mary Dellaripa and husband Victor, and Frances Lyss. He will also be missed by his several nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Gene’s life was full of love and happiness. He had a positive impact on everyone he met, always leaving a lasting impression. He was an avid gardener, enjoyed traveling and loved the beach. He created beautiful memories for his family at Great Hammock Beach and later in life spent many happy winters in Puerto Rico. He leaves his family a legacy of strong work ethic, countless humorous sayings to live by (“do the math”, “in a court of law”) and the secret to a fulfilling, productive & fruitful life.

Gene’s family would like to thank the staff at Southington Care Center and Mulberry Gardens for the tremendous care and comfort they offered him during a challenging time.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 15th at 9:15 a.m. from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington to St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington for a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, November 14th from 4-7 p.m. For online condolences and directions please visit www.dellavecchiasouthington.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.