Matthew R. Rini

Matthew R. Rini, Sr., 79, of Berlin, formerly of Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, passed away on Thursday, (July 20, 2006), at New Britain General Hospital. Born April 13, 1927 in Portchester, NY, he was the son of the late A. Victor Rini and Agnes (Marinaro) Rini. Matthew served in the Merchant Marines in World War II, then began his entrepreneurial career as a cabinet maker in the mid 1950's as owner of M.R. Rini Millwork in Hartford and subsequently Manchester Millwork. After his semi-retirement at age 45, Matthew became interested in hypnotism and, after studying his craft as a hypnotic therapist, opened Advanced Hypnosis in Rocky Hill, which he operated until his death. Some of Matthew's colorful endeavors included being a participant in the Riverside Park stockcar races in the 1950's and owning the Block Island Hotel in 1956. During that time, he received his pilot's license and would often fly his Cessna airplane to and from Block Island. In 1959, when his son, Matthew R. Rini, Jr., was born, Matthew was so excited after having had three daughters, that he hired a skywriter to write ""It's a Boy"" over his house in Wethersfield, making worldwide news. He also made local headlines in the 1960's when his airplane made a forced landing at the Tumblebrook Golf Course in Bloomfield. The newspaper headline at the time read, ""Birdie Makes 3-Point Landing."" Matthew took up skiing at age 50 and would go on to ski around the world with the U.S. Ski Club and with family and friends. He was also an avid winemaker for many years and took 3rd prize in the South End of Hartford's Italian Festival in the 1970's. He was also a longstanding member of the Wethersfield Country Club and was well known around the Club as a formidable competitor on the golf course and in the card playing room. He also served as a scorer at the GHO in Cromwell for several years. Matthew gained the most satisfaction, however, from helping to change people's lives through hypnosis. He was also proud of the fact that he was a member of the Mensa Society. Most recently, Matthew was a chaperone on the monthly Berlin-Kensington Rotary Club casino bus trips to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun where he handled on-board bingo games and raffles. Matthew is survived by his wife and friend, Laima ""Lucky"" Rini, his daughters, Carol Skarzynski, and her husband, Joseph, of Rocky Hill, Barbara Corcoran and her friend, Stephen Boyle, of Cromwell, and Donna Otake and her husband, Gordon, of Portland; his son, Matthew R. Rini, Jr., and wife, Michelle, of Rocky Hill; grandsons, Bernard Corcoran, Jr., and wife, Tracy, of East Hartford, Joseph M. Skarzynski, Matthew Rini III, and Nick Rini all of Rocky Hill; granddaughters, Stephanie Boisvert, and her husband, Robert, of East Hartford, and Nicole and Jacqueline Otake of Portland; and a great-grandson, Jack Corcoran, of East Hartford. He is also survived by his brothers, Donald Rini, and family of California, Kent Rini, and family of Arizona and Keefe Rini of Florida; a sister, Candi Nelson, and family, and his step-mother, Mary Rini, all of Florida. He is also survived by his step-children, Jura DellaCamera, and her husband, Robert, and family of Branford, Jeffrey Moss and wife, Debra, and family of Berlin, John Moss and wife, Lisa, and family of East Haven, James Moss, and wife, Janice, and family of Florida, and his mother-in-law, Lina Kijonka, of New Britain. Matthew was predeceased by a brother, Victor Rini, and former wife and mother of his children, Alice Rini Mainville. Matthew's family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey Kagan of Newington for his efforts and expertise and to the staff of New Britain General Hospital for their compassionate care. Relatives and friends may call at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield on Sunday July 23 from 4 to 7 p.m and Monday (July 24) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. A Funeral Service will begin at 11:30 a.m at the funeral home and the burial will follow with full military honors at the State Veterans' Cemetery, Bow Lane (Exit 12), off of Route 9, in Middletown. For on-line expressions of sympathy please visit: www.desopo.com.