#Middlebury #Obituary
Devoted family man
Joseph Anthony Damiano, 96, formerly of Waterbury, died peacefully Jan. 25, 2019 after a very brief illness. He was the loving husband of Carolina (Pazzaglini) Damiano for almost 67 years before her death in 2014.
Joseph was born in Waterbury March 1, 1922, son of the late Nicholas and Joanne (Nardiello) Damiano. He was a graduate of Leavenworth High School and attended the Porter School of Design. While at Leavenworth, he was a member of the orchestra and enjoyed playing trumpet in the tri-school city band. Joe was a veteran of World War II, who served as a gun mechanic in the Army’s 38th Tank Battalion of the 14th Armored Division in the European Theatre.
Joe was a tool and die sinker at Chase Brass & Copper for 47 years. After the war, he married and built a house in the Bucks Hill section of Waterbury, where he spent 64 happy years with Carolina and their children until her passing, when he moved to Middlebury to be closer to his family and where he became a parishioner at St. John of the Cross Church. For many years, Joe worked part-time as a salesman for Electrolux, and after retirement, he worked at the Woodbury Golf and Driving Range.
Joe will be remembered for his fun-loving smile, his positive attitude, his willingness to lend a hand or give advice and his love of a good story, a good joke and a good song. He was a lifelong believer in the importance of staying active … lifting weights, working on cars, playing pool and bowling, even celebrating his 96th birthday by going bowling with his family. Family always came first for Joe, and he was never happier than when he was with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family and friends. He loved family gatherings and vacations, especially if they happened to involve a casino. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is survived by his daughter, RoseM. Walsh and her husband, Michael, of Middlebury. He also leaves his cherished grandchildren, Michael Walsh Jr. and his wife, Emily, of Arlington, Va. and Kara Keenaghan and her husband, Brian, of Middlebury, and the great-grandchildren he adored and who he said kept him young, Charlotte Walsh, Michael Walsh III and Francis X. Walsh of Arlington, Va. and Carolina Keenaghan and Brian Keenaghan, Jr. of Middlebury. Joe also is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Nicholas Damiano, and his sister, Angela Nole.
A Mass of Christian burial with full military honors to follow will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury. Friends are asked to please meet directly at the church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Since Joe never forgot how well the Salvation Army treated the GIs overseas, memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army, 74 Central Ave., Waterbury, CT 06702 or The Margaret M. Generali Foundation, P.O. Box 3111, Waterbury CT 06705.
For more information or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com
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