Carlo Simone

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Carlo Simone, 92, of Newington. Carlo passed peacefully on February 20, 2026, at his home, with his family by his side and he is now reunited with his beloved wife Luigina “Gina” (Garzone) Simone.

Carlo was born on October 16, 1933, in Gravina, Province of Bari, Italy. He was the son of the late Michele Simone and Angela Sardone. Carlo and Gina were childhood friends, eventually becoming sweethearts. Married in 1957, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1960, they ultimately made their home in Newington where they raised their children and welcomed family and friends.

Carlo proudly served in the Italian Army, one of his responsibilities included chauffeuring the General to and from locations. His military career was cut short with the passing of his father; he was honorably discharged so he could return home to help his mother raise his siblings.

Together, Carlo and Gina were successful entrepreneurs, they opened and operated Newington Giant Grinder Shop, working side by side for several years. Eventually they made the decision to sell the grinder shop so Gina could focus on their family and Carlo opened Carlo’s Citgo in Newington where customers relied on his mechanical expertise. There wasn’t an engine Carlo couldn’t repair, from a lawn mower to a diesel truck, he would always say “I fix” and he would. In October of 1971 Carlo began his career as a mechanic for the Town of Newington. Not only did he oversee the central town garage repair and operations, making sure all town vehicles were in excellent running condition, but his creative ingenuity also resulted in Carlo creating the first brush truck for the Newington Fire Department, the first utility van for the Newington Police Department and the complete refurbishing of a dump truck for the Newington Highway Department. On October 22, 1996, in appreciation for his hard work and endless commitment to the Town of Newington, Carlo was honored and proud to receive a Proclamation from the town officials recognizing his professional and exceptional work. He retired after 25 years of committed service to the town.

Carlo was a very good friend to everyone he knew, all it took was a phone call and he would drop anything to help you. He also had a loud and boisterous personality; you always knew when Carlo entered the room with a huge smile on his face and happy to see everyone. Carlo truly enjoyed life, he loved spending time with his family and friends, sharing a good story, a good laugh, enjoying a delicious meal, and especially “sampling” his delicious home-made wine.

Every spring, Carlo would begin preparing his garden. He and Gina enjoyed working together and they took great pride in cultivating the land, growing their vegetables for canning and sharing with their family and friends. In the fall, there was the traditional search for the perfect grapes needed to make his delicious wine.

Carlo was one of the founding members of the Mt. Carmel/St. Cristina Society where he devoted years of service on the Board of Directors, he chaired many of their events and was instrumental in the upkeep of their facility. Carlo and Gina enjoyed attending their socials where he was the life of the party and they made a lifetime of friends. In addition, he was a long-time member of the Our Lady of Grace Society, where true to his nature, Carlo was committed to the success of the organization.

More important than any of his accomplishments, Carlo loved and was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren, they were his world.

He will be dearly missed by his daughters, Angela Crocker and her husband William of West Hartford, Agatha Simone of Newington, his son Michael Simone and his wife Laura of Newington. In addition, he leaves his cherished granddaughters, Amanda Crocker, Juliet Simone and Katherine Simone.

Carlo leaves sisters Maria Minichino of Wethersfield, Carmela Simone and her husband Bernardo Trotta of Italy, his brother Cosimo Simone and his wife Giuliana of Italy, brother-in-law Louis Garzone and his wife Mary of Wethersfield, sister-in-law Dawn Garzone of FL, along with his many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

In addition to his wife and parents, Carlo was predeceased by his three siblings and seven half siblings all from Italy.

Funeral services will leave at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, from the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Annunciation Parish (Church of the Holy Spirit), 183 Church Street, Newington. Burial will follow at West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, February 27, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

Memorial donations in Carlo’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of CT, 10 Executive Drive, Suite 202, Farmington, CT 06032.

For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com