Luigi Gaetani

Luigi Gaetani of Wethersfield, was welcomed into the warm and peaceful embrace of our Lord surrounded by his loving companion Luisa and his dedicated family on September 9, 2019. Certain to greet him and lead him home, were his brother Donato and sister Emilia whom he longed to be reunited with these past few years. Luigi, 87, was born on July 28, 1932 in Sepino, province of Campobasso, Italy and was the son of the late Giuseppe and Filomena (D'Anello) Gaetani.

Luigi immigrated to the United States from Italy in October of 1949 together with his sister Emilia. Upon his arrival, he worked at Rubero’s Restaurant in Hartford where his love for cooking blossomed. A family-run diner and restaurant, the Rubero family quickly came to love and trust him as their own. He often spoke of the “strange” American cuisine he would learn to make like French toast and Reuben sandwiches. In 1951, upon the death of his mother, Luigi returned to Italy with his sister Emilia and remained until 1953, returning to the United States again with his father later that year. Luigi also worked for the Travelers Insurance Company and went to night school to learn English. Along with his brother Donato, he worked for CNG Electric Co. and attended trade school to become a licensed electrician. In 1960, he and his brother Donato founded Delta Electric Inc. which soon became one of the top electrical contractors in the Hartford area for more than 30 years. During that time, Luigi employed and mentored many apprentices, several who were Italian immigrants and later went on to become successful electricians and business owners.

In 1994, Luigi retired from the electrical business and once again joined his brother Donato who had embarked on founding Sepino Investments, a real estate investment company named after their beloved hometown in Italy, until his final retirement in the late 1990s.

He was most dedicated to his hometown of Sepino and to Saint Cristina, the town’s patron saint. His love and devotion to both was undeniably evident throughout his life and in all he did. Luigi was a proud member and co-founder of the former St. Cristina Society since 1960 chairing and serving on many committees and holding various Board positions including President. With the merger of the Mt. Carmel and St. Cristina Society in 1980, he was again elected to serve as the first President. He continued to be an integral part of the society until his death organizing and chairing events until most recently and being a role model for many. Luigi organized the first live tele-conferencing event between the society and his hometown of Sepino prior to the age of skyping. He also chartered a trip to Sepino for the 900th anniversary celebration in 1999 and has served as one of the principal liaisons between the town of Sepino and its emigrants in the Hartford area for many years up to the present time. In all these positions, he took his role seriously and with profound pride.

Even as a single man, Luigi cherished his extended family and devoted his life to them. He shared his love for cooking by preparing incredibly delicious meals. He even created an Italian version of the Thanksgiving turkey that has become a tradition in the household. Sundays, in particular, were always special times spent relaxing and being together. Everything he touched in the kitchen was golden including his veal cutlets, amazing sauce, and even his salad had the “Luigi touch”. His greatest joy was teaming up with his dearest Luisa in the kitchen and creating a variety of dishes. In 2004 he met Luisa and she immediately became the sparkle in his eye and the extra beat in his heart. She and her children and grandchildren soon became an integral part of his family. He adored, loved and shared many special and memorable times together with them including vacation trips to Mexico and Myrtle Beach.

He was a leader and a perfectionist in all he did. He was a great teacher always instructing and guiding us with electrical projects, cooking, and so many other endeavors. All of our families together always looked to him for guidance and he was always there for us and so very proud of all of our individual accomplishments. He was a great orator and loved to speak in public both in Italian and English. He often said, “I should have been a priest.” Although a man of small stature, only 5’2”, they called him “l’uomo grande” (a grand man)! And that he was! Grand in his love and respect for others, grand in his generosity, grand in his zest for life, and grand in his creativity.

Luigi was a music aficionado. In particular, he loved opera. His favorite Opera was “La Boheme” by Puccini and his favorite song, “Nessun’ Dorma” from Turandot. You would be sure to hear him listening to his opera tunes while cleaning his home on a Saturday morning! He was also a history buff knowing everything from the days of the Roman Empire to World War II. Luigi was an impeccable dresser. At any event, you were sure to find him at his best. Sunday Mass was no exception where you would see him in his finest suit and tie. He had a love for classic cars, especially his 1964 Ford Thunderbird and his 1975 Ford Lincoln Continental that he drove with great pride. Luigi had many cherished friends. He loved to entertain and was the life of the party. Everyone always loved to go to “Louie’s” house. It was always another “grand” event. You could count on good food and good company served with laughter, love and fun.

Luigi leaves behind his dearest and most loving companion, Luisa Maffucci, “amore mio”, as he called her. She cared and was beside him always and especially during his final days. Luigi also leaves behind his most beloved and dedicated nieces who were like his daughters, Maria Concetta "Connie" Peluso and Filomena Francesca Marinelli. He also leaves behind his adoring great nieces and nephews, Emily Peluso LeMire, Mark Peluso, Liana Marinelli, Anthony Marinelli, Corinna Marinelli, Sofia Marinelli, Holden LeMire, Jamison LeMire, Natalia Peluso, Sawyer LeMire, and Emilia LeMire and his nephew-in-laws Pasquale Peluso, Eugene Marinelli and Robert LeMire. Also very dear to him, he leaves behind Michael and Christine Maffucci and their daughters Abigail and Mariella as well as Ken and Lucia (Maffucci) Carlsen and children Brooklyn and Aiden. He also leaves behind several family members in Italy and Argentina who loved and adored their Zio Luigi. His lively spirit, wisdom, generosity and kindness will live on in all those who were blessed to have known and loved him. We await the day we will meet again to embrace him and thank him endlessly for the gift he was to all of us.

We would like to especially recognize his great niece, Emily Peluso LeMire, APRN, who, along with Luisa, provided him with around the clock home hospice care with unconditional love and support so he could remain comfortable at home (at the “ranch” as we called it) during his final days.

Luigi is now reunited with his parents along with his brother Donato who predeceased him in 2016 and his sister Emilia who predeceased him in 2018. Heartbroken from the loss of his siblings who he lived with all his life, he yearned for and dreamed of this reunion so very much. As they were called many times, the “three musketeers” are finally together again in the Glory of God.

Funeral services will begin on Saturday, September 14th at 10 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Burial will follow at Mt. Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, September 13th from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

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