Gramuglia, Raffaele
Raffaele Gramuglia, 88, of East Hartford, died peacefully on October 11th, 2021. He was born to Francesco and Rosina (Pugliese) Gramuglia, in Pianopoli, Catanzaro, Italy. He grew up in a family with modest means and was formed by the difficult circumstances of World War 2 Italy. In 1959, he married Maria (Scalise) Gramuglia in Italy, his wife of 58 years, immigrated to America the following year and resided in East Hartford for the past 52 years. A hard worker since childhood, he was primarily employed as a deburrer, eventually starting his own small business, R.G. Grinding Company, in operation for over 20 years; and later worked in building maintenance at Howell Cheney Technical High School. Strong-willed, practical, and self-reliant, he made a
point of enjoying the simple things in life. An avid gardener, he cultivated a wide variety of food for the family table, enjoyed gatherings with extended family to celebrate a special occasion with a meal, a glass of his home-made wine, and a joke or story in one of two languages (but usually some combination of both). He marked the start of each Christmas with some addition to his famous, hand-made manger scene. In his late life, he devotedly cared for his wife during her final years. As a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, he will be missed and remembered by loved ones in two countries.He is survived by his children, Rosanna and her husband John Robbins of Tampa, FL, Anna Pelletier and her husband David of East Hartford, Linda Engley and her husband Charles of Norton, MA, Patricia Gramuglia of East Hartford, Anthony Gramuglia of Glastonbury and Frank Gramuglia and his wife Ann of South Windsor. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Ryan Engley and his wife Kara Watts; Christopher Pelletier and his wife Elizabeth; Lauren Engley; Victoria, Anthony, and Alexa Gramuglia; Luca, Leo and Isla Gramuglia; two great grandchildren, Logan and Grace Pelletier, many cherished nieces and nephews and his beloved sister Carmela DiNino of Rocky Hill. Raffaele was predeceased by his wife, Maria, his grandchildren Paul and Pia Gramuglia, his brother Tommaso Gramuglia, his sister Ulianna Stocco, and siblings Giuseppe and Giuseppina Gramuglia who died in childhood. Calling hours for Raffaele will be held Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral
Home, 318 Burnside Ave, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. Following the calling hours will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM at Saint Rose Church, 33 Church St, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. Raffaele will be laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, Burnside Ave, East Hartford, CT 06108. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. NewkirkandWhitney.com for the Gramuglia family, as well as, viewing Raffaele's Everlasting Memorial Tribute movie.