John Thomas Vileno

SANDWICH, MA – John Thomas Vileno, 90, formerly of Hampton and Killingly, CT, died peacefully at home on Saturday, August 8, surrounded by his family. John was born in Providence, RI, to the late Joseph and Mary (Barattini) Vileno on June 27, 1936, the middle child of eleven siblings in a close-knit family. In 1961, he married Elizabeth A. Musk, the love of his life, who died shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary.

John was an inquisitive man, never afraid of a challenge, especially when it came to working on cars or carpentry projects. He had a big personality that lit up a room and made friends with everyone he met. If he wasn’t twirling his daughters on the dance floor, he was teaching them how to swing a hammer and stand up for what they believe in. Education was important to him, and he was never shy about expressing his opinion, either at the dinner table or the TV screen.

He never let his love go unspoken. He loved family get-togethers that included his siblings, cousins, and 23 nieces and nephews, and he could always be counted on to lend a hand to anyone in need, whether it be fixing a leaky pipe, helping renovate a house, or just offering life advice.

In 1955, John graduated from LaSalle Academy in Providence. At age seventeen, he joined the Army National Guard of Rhode Island and served for twelve years. In 1976, while raising his family, he earned his BS degree from Bryant College. He spent most of his career as an industrial supply salesman, first for Hartford Electric Supply and then Electrical Wholesalers. He was a member and president of the Danielson Rotary Club, on the Board of Directors for QVCC (now CT State CC), and an active volunteer in his community and churches.

In his last years, he lived with his daughters and enjoyed spending time with his adult grandchildren, whom he was so proud of, and his caregiver, Queen Banda.

He will be missed by his four daughters and their families: Cynthia Vileno & Jonathan Meigs of Corning, NY; Elizabeth M. Vileno & Dean Thelen of Hillsborough, NC; Deborah & John Esborn of E. Sandwich, MA; and Rebecca & Ian Mott of Sutton, MA; his six grandchildren - Michael Solano (Maria Mosoeunyane), Elizabeth Esborn, Andy Esborn, Gar Esborn, Bel Mott (Catherine Brown) and Charlotte Mott; three great-grandchildren; his partner Jane Cartier; and three sisters: Nancy Vileno, Geraldine Bastia (Tony), and Patricia Costantino.

Along with his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his only brother and best friend Joseph Vileno, Jr., and sisters Lucy Valletta Simpson, Anne Nolan, M. Elizabeth Rollinson, Barbara Sullivan, Nita Costantino, and Catherine Corrente.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, August 15 at 11 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 41 Cedar Swamp Rd., Hampton, CT. Luncheon to follow. Private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc., PO Box 356, North Oxford, MA 01537-0356, apps.bartoncenter.org/donate-now, which supports camp programs for children with diabetes.