Manuel W. Vetti, Sr.

Manuel W. Vetti, Sr., a lifelong resident of Stamford, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Stamford Hospital with his family at his side. Manuel was born in Stamford on September 17, 1925, to the late Frank and Ortenza Toto Vetti. Manuel was 98 years old at the time of his passing.

Born and raised in Stamford, Manuel attended Stamford public schools, Stamford High School, and was a graduate of J.M. Wright Technical High School. He went on to serve his country in the WWII era and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. A driven and determined self-made man, Manuel founded Acme Electrical Company of Stamford, a successful electrical contracting company still in operation today. He also purchased property on Hamilton Avenue and, on a wing and a prayer, built the Bowlarama bowling alley in Stamford, which he ran with his brother, Frank, for many years.

Mr. Vetti was very active in Stamford’s civic and business communities and was a past president and longtime board of director member at the Italian Center. He was the last surviving member of the five Founding Fathers of the Italian Center at its present location at 1620 Newfield

Avenue. They had a vision of establishing a place within the Italian community to preserve the culture and heritage of Italian migrants and their families. The very distinguished group of gentlemen, from a generation that cannot be replaced, consisted of Ralph Grevasio, Nicholas Mercede, Cleante Pimpinella, Mario DeCarlo, and Manuel Vetti. The American flag at the Italian Center in Stamford will be flown at half-staff this week in honor of Manuel’s exceptional life and legacy. He was also instrumental in the formation of Columbus Park in downtown Stamford and the installation of the Columbus statue that resides there. He was a past Postmaster, a member of the St. Augustine Council, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he was also active in, and the oldest living member of, the Gravinese Mutual Aid Society.

He was a principled man, who lived a life believing in decency towards others, and a life of ethical and moral purpose. He was a true pillar of his community, always giving freely of himself, and doing so with a kind word and a smile on his face. He was a gracious man who will be sadly missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Manuel was preceded in death in 2016 by his beloved wife of 70 years, Frances Baron Vetti, whom he had first met at the young age of 14 years old. He is survived by his sons, Manuel W. Vetti, Jr. (Bonnie), Bruce Vetti, Sr. (Debbie); daughter-in-law, Laura Vetti; grandchildren, Tamara Vetti (Craig Martin), Manuel W. Vetti III (Sarah), Bruce Vetti, Jr. (Lisa), Anthony Vetti ( Jenna), Michael Vetti, Kevin Vetti (Brooke), and Jacquelyn Spezzano (Michael IV); and great-grandchildren, Daniel, Bennett, Peter, Aiden, Brooke, Olivia, Spencer, Lily, Rebecca, Manuel IV, and Frankie.

In addition to his wife, Manuel was predeceased by his son, Wayne Vetti, and his great-grandson, Anthony Vetti, Jr.

Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue,

Stamford, CT, on Monday, May 13, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral procession will leave the funeral home on the morning of Tuesday, May 14th and proceed to St. Cecilia R.C. Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, in Stamford, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. The interment with military honors will follow Mass at St. John Cemetery, Darien.

The family would like to acknowledge Manuel’s caregivers, Marika and Nelly, and thank them for their kindness and for their compassionate care. A special thanks is given to Bonnie, Manuel’s daughter-in-law, for the years she spent making sure Manuel’s household was taken care of and for directing his health care. It was due to her selfless care that Manuel was able to remain comfortably in the home that he built with his 2 little dogs by his side.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Manuel’s name to The Italian Center Scholarship Fund at www.italiancenter.org/donate/ .

To leave online condolences, please visit www. cognetta.com .