Josephine Theresa Ariano

She was one of ten children born to the late Mark and Jennie Petrino of Bridgeport.

She was raised in Yellow Mill Village on Bridgeport's East Side. Josephine graduated from Warren Harding High School, in the class of 1949. She met and married Jerry Ariano, her husband of 50 years. They raised their two children in Bridgeport and later moved to Stratford where she lived for 35 years. She loved the Stratford community and the time she spent in church activities and the friends she made in the Ivy League Club. Jo enjoyed cooking and baking and trading recipes with her sisters and friends. She was truly happiest in her kitchen surrounded by family.

Josephine was employed by Sprague Meter and Bridgeport Fittings as an inspector and Avco Lycoming as a timekeeper.

Survivors include, her son, Robert Ariano (Margaret) of Danbury, three grandchildren, Kristen McNellis (Fran), Michael Droniak (Carla) and Jonathan Droniak, and five great-grandchildren, Mason, Michael and Nico McNellis and Joseph and Holly Droniak.

She is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Ambrose (Jerry), Marion Petrino and Catherine Mally, two brothers, Mark Petrino (Diane), Raymond Petrino (Carole) and her son-in-law Michael Droniak Sr.

She was predeceased by her husband Jerry and her daughter Nancy Droniak, her sisters Phyllis Aiello, Eleanor D'Angelico & Jean Petrino and brother Patsy Petrino, and two nephews, Thomas Petrino and Patrick Ambrose.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 9th at 10:30am directly at Our Lady of Peace Church, 651 Stratford Rd., Stratford, CT 06615. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery, Monroe. Friends and family may greet the family on Friday, January 8th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT. Due to current public health concerns, masks must be worn at all times, social distancing is required and there will be limited capacity within the funeral home and church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4b, Southington, CT 06489. Online condolences may be left at SpadaccinoFuneralHome.com.