Francesco "Franco" Gaglioti

Francesco “Franco” Gaglioti, 79, of East Hartford, beloved husband for 56 years of Margaret (DeLeo) Gaglioti, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Born in Pizzo Calabro, Italy on March 5, 1945, he was the son of the late Giovanni and Carmela (Calabró) Gaglioti. In his youth he worked on various cruise ships, which is where he went on to meet his beloved wife Margaret. Franco then came to the U.S. in 1968 at age 23, where he worked various jobs to provide for his family before finding his career in aircraft titanium welding. He was employed by Pratt and Whitney, GE and Paradigm.

Franco was a member of the Sons of Italy, the East Hartford Senior Center where he would work out and connect with the senior community, and he loved to go to Mohegan Sun with his sons and friends. His favorite hobbies were anything having to do with his lawn, garden, or John Deere tractor. His favorite sports teams were whatever teams his grandchildren were playing on at the time. You could find him sitting proudly in the stands representing their teams, wearing one of the many pieces of gear he owned.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and neighbor; Franco will be forever missed by his devoted wife Margaret, his three children, John Paul Gaglioti and Robert Gaglioti, both of Simsbury, and Lynn Pasqualetto and husband John of Windham, NH and his five adored grandchildren, Olivia, Nicholas, Clara, Nathaniel and Francesca. He is also survived by seven siblings, Lino, Pino, Leo, Nina, Maria, Nancy, Enza, as well as many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and special friends, both in the U.S. and in Italy. In addition to his parents, Franco was predeceased by his brother, Rocco and his sister, Carmela.

We, as Franco’s family, want to thank everyone who has shown their support, and those who continue to do so during this time. A special thanks to those doctors, nurses and aides through Hartford Hospital for providing Franco with proper and attentive care over many years, as well as the cardiologist at Mass General. Franco’s legacy will continue to live on through his many family members and loved ones by upholding the values and lessons he passed on to all.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 13 at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church of North American Martyrs Parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, in East Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, September 12 from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to American Heart Association, American Kidney Fund, or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To share a memory of Franco, please visit www.desopoeh.com