Obituaries

Gary John Scarpa

March 20, 1952 - December 5, 2016

Burial Date December 9, 2016

SCARPA: Gary John Scarpa, 64 of New London, passed away Monday Dec. 5, 2016 after a long hard fought battle with liver disease. He was born March 20, 1952 in New London the son of Nicholas Scarpa of New London and the late Rose (Galbo) Scarpa. Gary attended elementary schools in New London and graduated from St. Bernard high school in 1970. At St. Bernard, he excelled at football and was know for his brute strength and hard hitting. He was proud to be part of the 1969 team that won the biggest game in saint’s history. A victory against a New London team that had not lost a game since 1967 and in 1968 was state champ’s and ranked 9^th in the nation. Gary loved to work, and excelled at everything he did, including welding at EB, operating heavy equipment at his uncles recycling business and on a dairy farm in Canterbury. In 1975, Gary bought an overgrown lot next to his childhood home. He transformed into a botanical showplace, growing perennials, annuals, fruit trees, grapes, and hundreds of vegetable plants. He then sold to local restaurants and residents of New London’s Italian neighborhoods. In the mid 1980’s, he started Quality Cleaning Service, a very successful office cleaning company. He closed in 2003 so he could focus his full attention on his growing business, Colman Street Nursery. His annuals and hanging baskets were second to none. He passed on the business to his brother Matt in 2015 die to his failing health. Gary had many friends, he was impossible to dislike because he was real, down to earth, and honest with everyone. He was incredibly helpful, and generous to his family, and friends. Always offering to help, even when he really did not have it to give, or his health mode, he never said the word no. Among his favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, American Cancer Society, and his favorite T.V. station was EWTN. Gary will be missed by his family more than words can describe. His passing will leave a void in our hearts that can never be filled. We will never forget him for the love, his generosity he showed us, or his strength and determination in life and fighting his illness. Besides his father, Gary is survived by, three siblings, Ann Scarpa, Bruce Scarpa and Matthew Scarpa, Sr.  His nieces, Megan Baker and husband Zach, Natalie Palmer, Tandi Palmer, nephew, Matthew Scarpa, Jr. He was pre-deceased by a brother, John David Scarpa. Family and friends are asked to gather for a memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 11 am in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington St. New London. Interment to follow in, St. Mary Cemetery. The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave. has been entrusted we his care.