Carlo J. Tomanio

Carlo J. Tomanio, 92, of Danbury, husband of the late Lydia Louise Tomanio, died peacefully in his home on Wednesday, December 15th.

Carl (as he was known to most) was born in Danbury in 1929, the son of the late Dina (née Migiano) and John V. Tomanio. He graduated from Henry Abbott Technical High School before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was deployed to Korea during the Korean War, and upon return to the U.S. was posted to Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts.

After his military service, Carl returned to Danbury and met and married the love of his life Lydia Louise Moran. Carl worked for the Kimberly Clark corporation, and then as the owneroperator of a succession of small home-improvement businesses. The last phase of his working years found him selling new and used automobiles, which suited him well as he enjoyed engaging with people of all backgrounds.

Upon retirement, he returned to an early interest, fine art painting and drawing. His subjects were often drawn from local history, including scenes of the Revolutionary War in Danbury and Ridgefield, the arrival of an early locomotive in Bethel, and a rendering of 1920’s Main Street in Danbury. He typically based his paintings on small, grainy archival photographs and written historical accounts, often filling in details from his imagination. Other subject matter included floral still life’s, local architecture, and occasionally copies of pieces by well-known artists (Renoir, Degas, and John Constable were favorites). Carl’s work was recognized by the Richter Association for the Arts and other local arts organizations, and was displayed at the Danbury City Hall, Danbury Library and the Danbury Senior Center.

He also enjoyed the Connecticut outdoors his entire life, fishing and boating in the summer months, tobogganing, ice-fishing and hiking in the winter. Carl’s children (and often their friends) accompanied him on these excursions, imbuing in them a life-long love of nature and outdoor activity.

Carl was preceded in death by his wife Lydia. He is survived by his daughter Susan Tomanio and her partner Bruce Cullen, his son John Tomanio and wife Beth Dufford; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grandnephews, and many friends at the Danbury Senior Center.

Services and burial will be private due to COVID 19 restrictions. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Danbury Senior Center, 10 Elmwood Place, Danbury, CT 06810.