Joseph Pasquino
Joseph Pasquino, 90 , of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at Stamford Hospital. He was born in Dasa, Italy on January 14, 1931 son of the late Michele and Stella D’Agostino Pasquino.
Joseph’s formative years were spent under the specter of the Second World War and the years of deprivation that followed. In 1956 he set his sail for New York as so many others had before him with the prospect of building a new future. He made his way to Stamford, CT with 5 Lira in his pocket and embarked on his quest for the American dream. He began as a housepainter, but in due time learned how to buy and sell real estate. Eventually, he learned to read blueprints, and, armed with only a second-grade education, he convinced a local bank to provide him a construction loan. He completed his first condominium complex in 1967. In the ensuing years, he developed thousands of residential units throughout the State of Connecticut and came to embody the American ideal. Though proud of his heritage, he was always steadfast for his love of his adopted country and the many opportunities it provided him. As he was fond of saying, “Italy gave me life, but America gave me everything.”
He was an active member and served on the boards of many organizations throughout his life including Unico, the Freemasons, the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle and at one time proudly served as the President of Lega Arena Dasa, a benevolent aide society that was near and dear to his heart. Despite his lack of formal education, Joseph maintained a voracious appetite for knowledge throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed studying history, politics and economics. And his legendary passion for Opera led him to many joyous nights inside the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan for decades. His curious nature and sense of adventure also led him to visit nearly every continent.
In the twilight of his life, he adored playing with and doting on his Grandchildren and Great- Grandchildren of which there were many.
Joseph is survived by his loving children, Michael Pasquino and his wife Eva, Stella Mallozzi and her husband Pasquale, Gessie Ceci and her husband Mario, Cathy Smeriglio and her husband Michael and Louis Pasquino, as well as his three sisters Antonia Pasquino of Italy, Maria D. Tripuzzi of Stamford and Palma Ciardulli and her husband Vincenzo of Stamford. His cherished grandchildren, Francesa, Joseph, Jackie, Leo, Samantha, Lexi, Rebecca, Nina and great-grandchildren Leah, Raphael “RJ”, Jerry, Joey, Arby, Luca, Mia and Lily.
Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Maddalena Esposito Pasquino and his sister Caterina Curello.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Gladys Valme, Rodeline Vilsaint, Ichemene Veneus and Michelin Ferrier for all their care and compassion with Dad.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Sacred Heart RC Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Stamford. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joseph’s memory to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www. stjude.org
To leave online condolences, please visit www. cognetta.com