Raffaele Rizzo, 89, of Wethersfield, beloved husband of the late Anna (Larro) Rizzo, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2018. Born in Chiusano San Domenico, province of Avellino, Italy on November 11, 1929, he was the son of the late Enrico and Nunzia (DeNapoli) Rizzo.
Raffaele worked as a machinist for Colt Firearms for many years. He enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden, making homemade wine and spending time “shooting the breeze” with many neighborhood friends who would stop by to visit.
A loving brother, uncle and great-uncle, he will be forever missed by his brothers, Gioso “Joe” Rizzo and wife Sandra and Carmine Rizzo and wife Angela; nephew, Vincenzo Pagliuca and wife Adriana, niece, Nancy Lamore and husband Michael and nephew, Enrico “Rick” Rizzo and wife Tina, as well as several dear great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Amelia Pagliuca and brother, Enrico Rizzo. Special thanks to dear family friends, Peter Petruzzi and Barbara Hinds for their love and support. The family would also like to thank the Glastonbury Healthcare Center, and more specifically, the long-term unit and hospice professionals, for their excellent care.
Funeral services will begin on Saturday (January 12) at 9 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends may call on Friday (January 11) from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Donations in Raffaele’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. To share a memory of Raffaele with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.