Antonino "Nino" Gionfriddo

Antonino “Nino” Gionfriddo, 98, of Wethersfield, entered into eternal rest peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday July 20, 2022. Antonino was born on July 27, 1923 in Canicattini Bagni (PR) SR Italy, and was the son of the late Salvatore and Concetta (Guerrieri) Gionfriddo.

Antonino proudly served in the Italian Army during WWII. Upon his return home, he met the love of his life, and they married in 1950. He immigrated to the United States in 1955 with his family in pursuit of the American dream, of which he proudly achieved shortly thereafter, establishing The Anthony Gionfriddo Mason Contractor Company. A highly skilled mason, with an unparalleled work ethic, and an eye for design and detail, Antonino built countless chimneys and fireplaces of distinction, along with the well known “Great Cantin Wall” on Terry Road, Hartford.

Antonino was a true gentleman with a heart of gold, and a smile that would light up the darkest room. He lived life to the fullest, traveling back to his homeland, and other European and domestic destinations over the years. He loved dancing, playing pool with Compare Emilio, going to the club with dear friend Salvatore Pizzo and visiting with special friend Salvatore Scata who always thought of him. Antonino was a longtime member of the Canicattinese Society and the Italian American Stars.

Most of all, Antonino loved spending time with his family, his adored wife Concettina of 72 years and his beloved daughters Tina and Sandy, whom miss him beyond words could ever express.

He was sadly predeceased by his first born son Salvatore, twin brother Giovanni Gionfriddo, brothers and sisters-in-law, Giuseppe (Bice) Panebianco, niece Tina,

Paolo (Francesca) Panebianco, in-laws Paolo and Santa Zocco, brother-in-law Sebastiano (Vincenzina), and Antonino Zocco.

He leaves to mourn, nephews Antonino and Emanuele Panebianco and families, brother-in-law Salvatore (Lucia) Zocco, nephews Paul (Annamaria), Enzo (Jeanette) Zocco and children. His loving and always present niece Lucia Magro (Paolo) and family, loving Goddaughter Tina Marie Rooney (Tom), Joe (Ellen) Valvo, Joanne (Troy) Morris and children, countless family and friends in Italy, the U.S., and Australia.

A special thank you for the excellent care given to Antonino by Dr. Robert Reginio, Dr. Daniel Callaghan, Dr. Jack Cardone, Dr. Patrick O’Bierne, Tapas Bandyopadhyay, and Physical Therapist Robin Copperthwaite.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday July 24, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. (The family has requested masks be worn.) A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield, at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022. Everyone is asked to meet directly at church Monday morning. Entombment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Antonino’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Church of the Incarnation. To share a memory of Antonino with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com