ESPARO, MARIE

Marie Martino Esparo, 89, of Bethany passed away peacefully on February 26, 2021 at Griffin Hospital in Derby. She did not have the Coronavirus. She was the beloved wife of the legendary Anthony “Toto” Esparo, who passed away in 2017. Marie was born on July 27,1931, daughter of the late Italo A. Martino, the virtuoso radio pioneer, and Catherine Cerrotti Martino. A rebel and trailblazer in her own right, Marie was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania when women usually did not attend college. She worked for years as a dental hygienist alongside her cousin and master orthodontist Dr. Edward D. Martino of Orange. After retiring, she occasionally worked part-time at Stop and Shop in Woodbridge and Seymour. She enjoyed ice skating, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Star Trek. She loved hummingbirds and her dogs and cats. She greatly appreciated her club of girlfriends of many years, often traveling and attending events with them. She was an excellent chef and baker and enjoyed hosting Sunday Dinners with her family. Her manicotti were to die for, but she was too humble to say so. She had little patience for people who think who they are. Marie leaves behind her children Martin Esparo of Woodbridge, Ann Brano (Fred), Catherine Triplett (Steve), and Dorothy Esparo all of Bethany, as well as her brother-in-law James (Delores) Esparo and sisterin-law Alice Esparo both of North Haven. She leaves behind Gina Marchitto of Orange and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Along with her children, Marie leaves behind six grandchildren: Anthony Brano (Belinda) of North Haven, Vito Esparo (Amanda) of Cheshire, Nick Brano of Bethany, Victoria Esparo (Peter Tsiomplikas) of Branford, Nina Triplett of Shelton, and Kyle Triplett of Bethany. She also leaves behind two great-grandsons, Anthony John Brano of North Haven and Sonny Esparo of Cheshire. She was also predeceased by her brothers Bobby and Frank, whom she loved dearly.

A private Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Woodbridge, followed by interment at St. Lawrence in West Haven. Marie’s family wishes to thank Physical Therapist Dennis Santulli for his many years of care and guidance. Live long and prosper. The Celentano Funeral Home has taken care of her arrangements.

www.celentanofuneralhome.com