Obituaries

Angelo V Occhionero

July 13, 1918 - April 24, 2016

U.S. Veteran

Burial Date April 29, 2016

4-28-2016 5 to 8 pm

Vito Angelo Occhionero, of Waterford passed away on April 24, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was 97 years young.Angelo was born in New London, on July 13, 1918, the son of Lucia Donatello and Nicholas Occhionero.Angelo was the husband of Norma Trevesani Occhionero. They wed on May 22, 1943, and were devotedly married for 72 years.

When Angelo was a young boy, the family moved from New London to Waterford, where he attended Great Neck School.  At that time, it was a one room school house, heated with a (wood stove and warm coats).  After him, three more generations followed through Great Neck School.

When Angelo got older, the family moved back to New London, as the story goes, for “Indoor Plumbing”. Graduating from Chapman Tech. High School, he excelled in track and football, where Angelo also made All Eastern Conference for football, and All State for track.

Angelo was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the Army, through the Philippines and occupation of Japan.

At the age of 53, Angelo retired from the Underwater Sound Laboratory at Fort Trumbull.  Still a young man, he never really retired.  He built many homes in Waterford and surrounding towns, for family and friends.  He was a master of many trades and could fix anything, excelling at whatever he set out to do.

Angelo was written up several times in his life by The Day Paper, for his achievements. Starting as a young paperboy, making All Conference in high school, and also for inventing a part of machinery for the Sound Lab.  He was also written up for building homes in his 80’s, “Octogenarian Building Homes”.

Until a year and a half ago, you could find him splitting wood or working on his large garden, often with the help of his son and nephew Pete Hallisey.

Angelo is survived and missed dearly by his wife Norma, and their three children; Ora and husband Roger DuPont, John Occhionero and wife Liz, Lori and husband John Ryan, all of Waterford.  He is also survived by his sister Loretta Gambini of Deep River; seven grandchildren, Kelley Getty and husband Dean, Roger DuPont and wife Marsha, Nicole VanOverloop and husband Garon, Melissa Hume and husband Tom,  Heather Buscetto and husband Mike, and Kristen Occhionero, all of Waterford, and Justin Volpe and wife Angel of New York.  He is also survived by step grandsons Kenneth Lecara and wife Leah, and Andrew Lecara; beloved nieces Marilyn and Steve Quayle, and  Lesley and Michael Gray.  Angelo also leaves behind 12 beautiful great grandchildren, who all got to know him.

Angelo was predeceased by his three sisters, Mary French, Nina Hallisey, and Connie Gatheral; and five brothers, Al, Mike, John, Joe, and Louie.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gary Bertman and staff for being who they are, Dr. Sommer and staff for their wise and caring ways, and all of Hospice for what they do every day.  The family would also like to thank Apple Rehab of Mystic and New London Rehab of Waterford for their care and kindness.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 28’th from 5-8pm, at Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London.  The funeral procession will assemble on Friday, April 29’th at 10am at the funeral home and will proceed to an 11am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church, Squire Street, New London.  Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London.