Rosanna Maria (minnucci) Davis

Rosanna Maria (Minnucci) Davis, 67, died peacefully on Tuesday, (January 23, 2007) surrounded by her devoted family. Rosanna was born in Massa, Italy on May 29, 1939. Following World War II, Rosanna with her mother, Julianna, immigrated to America and settled in Hartford's South End. She was educated in the Hartford school system, graduating from Bulkeley High School, Class of 1958. During her secondary years, Rosanna studied dance with Patty Ann Rita and in 1960 began a professional dancing career, which booked her as show dancer for such stars as Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bobby Vinton, Jackie Mason and Joey Bishop. Rosanna's professional engagements spanned the United States and parts of South America. On Rosanna's return to Hartford she met and married radio and television personality, Brad Davis. Rosanna and her mother, Julianna, who was affectionately known as ""Zia Julianna"" by thousands of Hartford's residents, founded and developed the Italian Information Center, an agency that provided counseling, networking and outreach social services for Italian-Americans arriving to the Hartford area. For more than two decades, the Italian Information Center supplied a daily Community Renewal Team lunch program to those in need and distributed food and commodities to indigent neighborhood families. The Center also provided translation and interpretation services as needed by settling immigrants. Rosanna became skilled in English, Italian and Spanish and enjoyed conversing in any language preferred by her clients. Rosanna and her husband, Brad, devoted countless energy and time to raising funds for central Connecticut cultural institutions. She served for four years as the Governor's Representative on the Wadsworth Atheneum Board of Directors. Besides her loving husband, Brad, Rosanna leaves her daughter, Leslie Gregor and her son-in-law, Daniel Gregor. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Peter Tutschka and his team of dedicated doctors and nurses at St. Francis-Mt. Sinai Regional Cancer Center for their unstinting and unwavering services. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, from 3-8 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, 160 Main St., Hartford. The burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis-Mt. Sinai Cancer Center, 114 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com