Dante Callegari
Farmington — Dante Callegari, 87, of Farmington, formerly of Torrington, passed away peacefully Friday, June 19, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous battle with cancer. Dante was born in Vicanino, Lugagnano Val d’Arda, Provincia di Piacenza, Italy, April 5, 1933, son of the late Enrico and Colomba (Inzani) Callegari.
Dante immigrated to the United States with his family in 1969. Though a man of few words, his determination, selflessness and amiability were evident to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Dante treasured simple moments spent in good company, whether it be cheering on his son, Enrico, at Special Olympics events, and grandchildren at their various sporting events, socializing with neighbors or fellow members of the Lenolese Italian Club, or making ravioli soup on Sundays for his family. As a passionate waltz dancer and avid gardener, Dante was quite the renaissance man. He not only took pride in making his own wine and tomato sauce, but got tremendous joy from sharing it with his family and many friends. He was employed as a mason by C.H. Nickerson Construction Co. for 28 years; and remained a reliable handyman for friends and family long after his retirement.
Dante is survived by his two sons, Enrico Callegari, of Torrington and Ernesto Callegari and his wife, Susan, of East Lyme; and his daughter Dorena Federici, of Wethersfield. He also leaves behind seven beloved grandchildren: Marina Callegari, Amanda Callegari, Brian Callegari, Vincent Federici and his wife, Siobhan, John Federici and his wife, Sheela, Dino Federici and Nicholas Federici and his wife, Hilary; and several great-grandchildren. He also leaves brothers-in-law, Attilio Moresi, of Lugagnano Val d’Arda, Italy, and Piero Rigolli, of Argentina; and sistersin-law, Childe Cavaciutei, of Paris, France, and Gilda D’Appollonio, of Phoenix, Ariz.; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Giovanna Rigolli in 1981, and then, his wife Concetta DeFilippis in 2004. He was predeceased by his three sisters, Anna Rapaccioli, Piera Miserotti and Sandra Moresi.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Stella, his in-home caregiver who ultimately became a friend, with whom Dante enjoyed many walks in the park and playing cards, and the staff at VITAS, especially his nurse Colleen, for their compassionate care of Dante. The family also would like to thank his neighbors Maria and Lou Parenteau for their friendship and all of their help and support throughout the years.
Funeral services with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. will be held Wednesday, June 24, 2020, from the Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, to St. Peter Church, (St. John Paul the Great Parish) 99 E. Main St., Torrington, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Francis New Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, at the Cook Funeral Home. All relatives and friends attending the funeral are reminded to follow CDC recommendations for COVID prevention; please follow social distancing guidelines and wear protective masks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics Connecticut in Dante’s memory. (give.specialolympics.org) Condolences may be sent to Dante’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com.