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Thomas S. Ciarlo Veteran
October 06, 2021

Obituary


Thomas S. Ciarlo got his angel wings on Wednesday, October 6th at 11AM. His hand was held and he transitioned knowing that he was well loved.

Thomas (Tom, Topper) was born on November 1st, 1924 in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was the middle child of Angelo (Pontelandolfo, Italy) and Gironda Ciarlo, nee Giamei (Genoa, Italy.)

The child of Italian immigrants, Tom spent most of his life in Waterbury where he raised his family and was surrounded by family in the traditional Italian style. Brunch after church at his sister Sue’s house across the street that sometimes lingered into lunch and aperitifs throughout the day with frequent visitors stopping by. If you have ever seen the kitchen scenes from the movie, “Moonstruck” you have an idea of what our Sundays were like.

Tom leaves behind a loving family filled with great stories, just like the ones he loved to tell, all-the-time. Son, Mark Ciarlo and his life partner Bonnie Rosenberg, daughter, Lynn Scornavacca and her husband Jeff, Brother, Joseph Ciarlo and wife Marion, cousins Marie and Marcel Couture, Susan and Michael Stango, and many nieces, nephews and God-children. He was pre-deceased by his sister Assunta, brother in law John and his wife of 45 years Ann Ciarlo, nee Parsell.

Prior to being a Korean War draftee, as a young man he had aspired to become a farmer. His love for animals and the outdoors led him to work on Shapiro & Sons Cattle Dealers, a commercial dairy farm in Morris, CT,
Tom had been blessed to have had a life partner in his wife Ann. He met Ann when she was serving in the Air Force as an Airman First Class, working in the Pentagon. They were introduced by a fellow sister in service, Lorilee Millsap, when Ann needed to hitch a ride to her home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Tom, then serving as an Army Honor Guard at Arlington Cemetery, fell in love when he saw the pretty girl in her blue glasses waiting for him at the Mall in Washington, D.C.

After Ann’s passing due to heart failure, Tom was blessed to have a second mate, Josephine Pace. They were married for 17 years until circumstances forced Josephine to move to Indiana. He then had a wonderful friend and companion with Caroline Bancroft-Kaufman while living at The Enclave in Franklin. Our dad had a knack for attracting remarkable, intelligent, beautiful women. There were many to stop by, shed a tear and say goodbye at his passing.

Tom had a distinguished career at Connecticut, Light and Power as a gas pipe fitter and inspector. He was a union negoiator for the IBEW. Tom was a lifelong member of the Elks Club in Waterbury, Connecticut, a member of the Connecticut Governor’s Foot Guard, a member of The Old Guard, AmVets, and other Veterans Service Organizations.

The most important things in Tom’s life were his service to country and to fellow Veterans and his family. He loved to tell stories, some a teeny bit larger than life, have a glass of wine and a good meal with friends and family. He was a great dancer and owned several tuxedos in his youth to cut a rug with the pretty ladies of Waterbury. He lived for Friday night poker and Thursday night duck pin bowling. He loved to make people laugh and ever the negotiator, was always ready with a chocolate or treat to apologize if he was in the doghouse.

To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers please consider donating to:
The New England Center and Home for Veterans
17 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Or online at
https://www.nechv.org/give-nechv/tribute-giving/
Internment with military honors will be held at Calvary Cemetery 2324 East Main Street, Waterbury, Connecticut, October 29th at Noon.

And when you think of our Dad, make a toast
“May the chardonnay be cold, the poker cards be all aces, the stories be big and at the end of the day, the blackberry brandy be sweet.”

Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com.

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Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin
131 Main Street
Franklin, MA 02038
508-528-1045