Joseph Charles Mingo

Joseph Charles Mingo, 89, of Rocky Hill, beloved husband of Concetta 'Tina' (Rossi) Mingo, died on Wednesday (December 16, 2009). He was born on April 26, 1920 in Rocky Hill, son of the late Joseph and Lena (Vaccaro) Mingo. Joe was a well-known Rocky Hill farmer for most of his life, first as a dairy farmer and then as a produce farmer, raising fresh produce for market, including his sought-after tomatoes. For many years he employed local teenagers with their first jobs during the summer seasons. He was born across the street from the West Rocky Hill house where he raised his family, and began his farming career as a boy on the family farm. Joe's loves of his life were his wife, his family and Boston Red Sox. He was always at his happiest on Sunday afternoons when the family gathered for Tina's tomato sauce made from his own tomatoes. Besides his wife of 63 years, Joe is survived by their three daughters and sons-in-laws: Elaine and Bob Durato of Manchester; Carol and Bill Revill of Meriden and Debbie and Tony Rizza of Rocky Hill. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Aaron Revill and his wife Heather, Christopher Revill, Danielle Rizza, Nicholas Rizza, Amy Hufnagel and her husband Joseph, as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Besides his parents, his four siblings predeceased Joe: Mary Forgetta, Lena Bevivino, Angelo Mingo and James Mingo. Joe's family extends their thanks to the doctors and staff at Hartford Hospital, especially the Center 12th floor, for their exceptional and loving care. Funeral services will leave Monday, December 21 at 8:45 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield for a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Church, Rocky Hill. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Calling hours will be Sunday, December 20 from 3-5 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to Hope With Heart Summer Camp, P.O. Box 737, Harriman, NY 10926. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.