Francesco Antonio Pace

Francesco Antonio Pace, (‘Tony, Tonino’) 92, of Wethersfield and formerly Hartford, passed away at home unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, and is now reunited with his beloved wife of 48 years, Salvatrice (Pantano) Pace. Born to Edouardo and Letteria (Panella) Pace in Pratola Peligna, Italy on January 14, 1932. He completed his schooling in Italy, moving to Venezuela at 18 yrs. old. He then moved to the U.S. in 1959, where he met and married the love of his life, Salvatrice. He and Salvatrice lived in Hartford for 39 years before moving to Wethersfield in 1998. Before his retirement, he had been employed by Arrow Tool and Cardinal Machine as a Machinist.

He will be remembered for his love of gardening, growing beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables – growing more vegetables than he could ever use and happy to share his bounty with his family and friends. He also enjoyed various sports, especially watching every soccer match on TV he could find. He loved to spend time with his family and was a wealth of knowledge in all subjects and sharing all he knew, never forgetting anything he had learned.

A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be forever missed by his two surviving children Tina Pantano of Cromwell and Erina (Pace) Hellyar and husband Brian of Wethersfield; his daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Duby) Pantano, six adored grandchildren; Melissa (husband Matt), Courtney, Hillery (husband Eric), Sean, Samantha, and Diana, and seven cherished great-children; Jayden, Antonio, Melina, Bradley, Evandra, Madeline, and Henry.

He is also survived by his brother, Alberto Pace of Rocky Hill; two sisters, Maria DiBacco of Wethersfield and Nella Vallera of East Hartford, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was sadly predeceased by his beloved daughter, Millie (Pantano) Rocco and son, John Pantano; brother-in-law, Gino DiBacco, brother-in-law, Guido Vallera, and sister-in-law, Santina Pace.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 3rd from 10-11:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 p.m. at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Entombment will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Donations in Francesco’s memory may be made to St Jude.

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