Concetta Connie"" (LaRosa) D'Ambrosio

Concetta “Connie” (LaRosa) D’Ambrosio , 95, a 70-year resident of Rocky Hill and 61-year resident of Westbrook, beloved and devoted wife of the late Angelo Michael D’Ambrosio for 71 years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, May 3, 2018. Born in Hartford on August 16, 1922 she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Antonette (Spada) LaRosa. Connie grew up in Hartford and was a 1940 graduate of Hartford Public High School. On October 5, 1946 she married the love of her life, Angelo. She retired from SNET after 33 years as a Service Analyst. She was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Charter Oak Chapter, formerly serving as Treasurer. Connie served as the Democratic Registrar of Voters in 1957 in Rocky Hill and was a member of the Democratic Town Committee. She was past President of the Rocky Hill Democratic Women’s Club, served as county organizer for the Hartford County Federation of Democratic Women’s Clubs and was a member and past President of the Connecticut Federation of Democratic Women’s Clubs. She was honored with the “Award of Merit” from the NFDWC in recognition of outstanding service as regional director. Connie was a member of Senator Christopher J. Dodd’s Women’s Advisory Committee. Along with her husband Angelo, she coordinated the primary for Governor Ella Grasso in Rocky Hill. Connie served as Vice-Chairperson for eight years to the director of the Rocky Hill Cora J. Belden Library. She was Treasurer and Tax Collector for the Island View Beach Association in Westbrook for 30 years. She was past President and charter member of the Young Italian American Association Ladies Auxiliary. She served as Co-President and for years as Treasurer of the Hartford chapter of Boys’ Towns of Italy, served as President of the American Committee on Italian Migration and was a member of the Italian American Junior League. Connie was a longtime, faithful communicant of St. James Church, served as Vice President of the St. James Women’s Club and as Vice-Chairperson of the St. James Parish Council. She was a life member of the St. Francis Women’s Auxiliary and served as a volunteer for Tel-Med at St. Francis Hospital. Connie was a member for 20 years of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Bourne-Keeney Post #23. She was a member of the Elm Tree Women’s Club of Wethersfield and past President and charter member of the Elm Tree Garden Club. She was active with the Rocky Hill Seniors and served as President for the last 10 years. Connie has taken care of trips for the Rocky Hill Seniors to the Ivoryton Summer Theater, to Stonington for the Sergio Franchi concerts, to New York City, the State Capitol and many other places. She was named Senior of the Year in 2004. At the time of her death, Connie was a Justice of the Peace, a position she held since 1969. Connie and Angelo loved to watch the UConn Women’s Basketball Team and the Boston Red Sox.

A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Connie will be forever missed by her son, Michael A. D’Ambrosio and wife Pamela McGrail of East Berne, NY; two adored granddaughters, Clarissa McCloy of Loveland, OH and Janelle D’Ambrosio of Colorado and two cherished great-granddaughters, Isabella and Clara McCloy of Ohio. She is also survived by her sister, Millie Pane and husband Michael of Rocky Hill and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Connie was sadly predeceased by her beloved daughter, Antonia “Toni” Berdn; sister, Ann Culotta and two brothers, Leonard and Paul LaRosa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday (May 7) at 10:30 a.m. at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish at St. James Church, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. The burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Calling hours are Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Donations in Connie’s memory may be made to St. Josephine Bakhita Parish, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To share a memory of Connie with her family, please visit www.desopo.com.