Guarco, Sr., Michael Bruno
Michael Bruno Guarco, Sr., 90, of East Granby, beloved husband for 65 years of the late Eileen (Kelly) Guarco, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 10, 2022, surrounded by his family at his son's home in Granby. Michael was born in North Adams, MA on June 8, 1931, son of the late Doro and Matilda (Tambornini) Guarco, and was raised on his family's farm, Mountain View Farm, in Granby. He was a graduate of Hall High School in West Hartford, Class of 1949 and, while growing up and after high school, Michael worked at his father's bar and restaurant in Hartford, Doro's Tavern and Doro's Grill. Michael proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War in a M.A.S.H., and was honorably
discharged as a Corporal in 1954. After the war, he sold heavy machinery and equipment with his brother in Agawam, MA before starting State Line Oil in December of 1961. As the company grew, he partnered with his brother, Alessio; and as a true family business, his wife Eileen helped as a bookkeeper while staying home to raise their five children. Over the years, Michael worked with his children, nephews, and other family members and the company expanded into a plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business that served families and commercial customers throughout North Central Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Dedicated to the Town of Granby, Michael and his family gave back to the town in many ways including serving as a member of the Lions Club
of Granby, a Charter Member of UNICO, Granby Chapter, and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Granby which honored him as Business Man of the Year in 2004. A proponent of education, he also served on the Board of
Trustees for many years at Westfield State University. Michael was involved in the Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors of Connecticut, where he was also a Past President. Most of all, Michael loved spending time with his
family and friends. While Michael had many long-time business associates and friends, his first priority was always his family. He kept a photo of his wife in his wallet from when they were dating and he never missed a Sunday night
card game at his house in Granby, East Granby, or on Cape Cod. He loved traveling with his wife and children throughout Europe and spending time at their homes in Hyannis, MA and in Florida. After purchasing his first home on Cape Cod in 1970, he applied for his first Shellfish License in 1972, a hobby which he enjoyed every summer. Michael loved nothing more than gathering clams, oysters, and some home-made wine and salami for a big dinner
that he prepared for his wife, children, and their families. A devout Catholic throughout his life, Michael was a lifelong parishioner of St. Therese Parish in Granby, and also attended Mass at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, FL, and at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Hyannis, MA. Michael loved cars since he was a child and later became fond of antique vehicles. He first purchased an antique fire truck and over the years added many award-winning automobiles to his collection, including a 1930 Chevy and a Packard which he was very proud of. He bowled in Men's Leagues for many
years at Simsbury Lanes, enjoyed snowmobiling, playing cards at the State Line Bar & Grill and, more recently, at the Cambridge House in Granby, and making wine and salami which he shared with everyone. Michael leaves to cherish
his memory, his five children, Michael Guarco, Jr. and his wife Judy, Alan Guarco, Mary Anne Guarco, Brian Guarco and his wife Anne, and John Guarco and his wife Karen, all of Granby; five grandchildren, Anna Guarco of Granby, Peter Guarco and his wife Hannah of Burlington, VT, Lila Guarco and her husband Stephen Hoppi, Jr. of East Hartland, Brieana Watson and her husband Nicholas of Granby, and Nicholette Guarco of Granby; six great-grandchildren,
Brodie and Isabella Cheney, John and Celia Guarco, Stephen Hoppi, III, and Vincenzo Watson; his sister, Dorina Konopka of Washington, DC; a nephew, David A. Guarco and his wife Jewels of Granby; two special cousins, Ellen Guarco of Hartford, CT and Carl Guarco of Granby; numerous cousins throughout the United States, Italy, and Argentina; and he looked forward to the birth of another great-grandson in August. In addition to his loving wife, who passed peacefully less than a month ago, he was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Alessio and Rosetta Guarco; and a grandson, Michael B. Guarco, III. His family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 19, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Wednesday, April 20, 11 a.m., at St. Therese Parish, 120 West Granby Rd. (Route 20), Granby. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Granby Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Granby Lions Club, P.O. Box 191, Granby, CT 06035 or to UNICO, Granby Chapter, P.O. Box 333, Granby, CT 06035. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.