Santo A. Sperazza

Santo Angelo Sperazza, age 88, of Uncasville, passed away on December 27, 2020. Born in Old Forge PA on October 29, 1932, Santo was the eldest of two dear brothers born to Charles and Cecelia Sperazza of Plainville CT.

“Sam” enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War and served as an Engineer’s Mate on the destroyer tender USS Dixie AD 14. Following his honorable discharge, Santo gained and engineering degree at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Upon returning to their hometown of New Britain, CT Santo began a career in HVAC and he and his wife Marion soon began a family. Eventually Santo began working as an instructor of air conditioning and refrigeration at the Norwich Technical High School where he eventually retired in 1990. In his later years Santo felt great pride and satisfaction over these accomplishments. Many of his former students, successful with their own businesses, sought him to thank him for the excellent instruction and support they had received from him over the years. In his final years Santo was most proud of his military service in the Korean War. Wearing his “USS Dixie” baseball cap in the most dignified manner, Santo was frequently drawn into conversations with other veterans, young and old, and thanked by many well-wishers wherever he traveled.

Santo Sperazza was a beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather who devoted his entire life to his family, passing along to his children the values he learned from his own parents. Those of honesty, hard work and putting family above all else. Many of Santo’s greatest memories involved packing up the station wagon and pulling along a camper as the family headed out for summers filled with campfires, fishing, swimming at the beach and seeing the sights, as family camping began in the early 60’s and continued uninterrupted after his children had all moved on until his wife Marion passed away in 1999 while they were camping together with old friends at Myrtle Beach. Whether it was a tent, a pop-up, a truck camper or an elite travel camper Santo only needed a map, his family and a few close friend along and he was happy. While these trips ranged far and wide the family’s favorite times were found nearby at Hopeville Pond State Park and the Scarborough Beach in RI.

Sam married his second wife Annamay Ferro St. Pierre in St. John’s Church, Montville, CT on October 28, 2000. They lived in Estero, FL. And became residents there. They lived in Florida for 20 years and traveled extensively. They viewed volcanic mountain tops to archaeological digs. Sam was very happy to have walked a longer distance on the Great Wall of China than anyone in his group. Christmas and New Year’s was spent cruising the Hawaiian Islands with pig roasts and native entertainment. One Christmas and New Year was spent cruising Puerto Rico. He and Annamay attended Navy Reunions and high school reunions and enjoyed reuniting with old friends. In 2015 Sam was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and in 2017 left Florida to return to Connecticut. Sam was presented with a quilt of valor by Stitch Chicks group from North Franklin, CT. Sam remained in his own home in Uncasville, CT being cared for by his loving wife of 20 years until his death on December 27, 2020 from Covid 19 Viral Pneumonia.

Santo leaves behind his loving wife of 20 years, Annamay Sperazza who cared for him at home to the very end as he had wished; as well as his three adult children born of his first wife Marion (Dansereau) Sperazza who predeceased Santo, Harold Sperazza and his wife Melanie, Dawna Vincent and her husband John and Susan Talbot and her boyfriend Guy, as well as four grandsons Sean Sperazza, John Vincent, Thomas Talbot and Daniel Sperazza. Also mourning the loss of this kind and gentle man is his brother Charles Sperazza and wife Lori and their family as well as members of the Dansereau family.

Burial will be held at Comstock Cemetery January 13, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Sam will be greatly missed.