Nicola Panaro, 95, of Cromwell, formerly of Rocky Hill and Wethersfield, beloved husband of the late Edith (Petrone) Panaro, passed away peacefully, November 21, 2021, at home, surrounded by his family.
Nicola was born January 30, 1926 in Casal di Principe, Province of Caserta, Italy and was the son of the late Ernesto and Marianna (Puocci) Panaro.
Nicola grew up in Italy, proudly serving in the Italian Army and earning the rank of Sergeant. Nicola met and married Edith in 1959 and immediately thereafter immigrated to the Unites States, where they settled in Hartford, later moving to Wethersfield.
Nicola retired from the Birken Manufacturing Company after 32 years of dedicated service. In his younger days, Nicola enjoyed tending to his yard and garden, which was always meticulously kept. For many years, he was a duckpin bowler, every Wednesday night he shared stories and laughs with his friends, while bowling a few games. Nicola was a very active member of several of the local Italian Societies: Mt. Carmel/St. Cristina Society, Sons of Italy (Ella Grasso Lodge), Our Lady of Grace Society, Pratolana Society and the Canicattinese Society. Both he and Edith enjoyed everything these memberships had to offer, they regularly attended social functions hosted by these societies and were instrumental in the planning of several of their events. Nicola and Edith also enjoyed entertaining guests in their home and traveling with their many friends. After the passing of his beloved Edith, Nicola remained active, meeting his friends for their morning coffee and traveling to Florida during the winter. Nicola loved the beach and never missed an opportunity to sit seaside, whether he was on vacation or with his family on the Clinton shore. In addition to being a wonderful husband and father, Nicola was especially proud of being a grandfather. Papa was always there when it involved his granddaughters never missing anything, whether a school play, band concert, dance recital or graduation. Papa beamed with pride at their accomplishments and each one of them held a special place in his heart. Most recently, he danced a special song with his eldest granddaughter at her wedding.
Nicola lived a long and very good life; he will be remembered as a kind and gentle man. Sadly, he leaves his loving and devoted daughter Marianne Claudio and her husband Frank of Cromwell, his cherished granddaughters, Sabrina Musumeci and her husband Joe, Andrea Claudio and her fiancé Danny Jernigan and Juliana Claudio, they love their Papa and will miss him very much. Nicola leaves his brother, Otello Panaro (Mena), of Italy, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Nicola was predeceased by his siblings, Ersilia Palmese, Natalina Papaccio, Maria Andreozzi and Antonio Panaro.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday (November 28th) from 5 to 7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. The funeral procession will depart the funeral chapel at 9:30 a.m. on Monday (November 29th) for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill.
For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.
