Carmela Totino

Carmela Totino, 90, was called to rest in peace with the Lord on January 21, 2024.

Carmela (Mela) Agostino Totino passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the age of 90. The daughter of Rocco and Josephine “Guiseppina” Ierino Agostino was born on July 27th, 1933, in Gioiosa Ionica, in the province of Reggio di Calabria, Italy.

Carmela is predeceased by her husband Domenico Totino and son Alex Totino. Carmela is survived by her son Luigi Totino, wife Cheryl and their sons, Michael, and Luigi; widowed daughter-in-law Kathy Totino and children AJ (Kristin), Kelly (Chris), and Steven; seven great-grandchildren. Mela’s loving siblings, predeceased by her brother Frank Agostino and Giuseppe ( Joe) Agostino. She is survived by her sister Lisa Murace (predeceased by Pasquale “Patsy” Murace), brothers Dominick Agostino ( Jane), Vincent Agostino, sister Vera Casale ( John), sister-inlaw, Dorothy Agostino and many nieces and nephews.

Carmela, a successful seamstress, held a deep passion for embroidery, taught to her by nuns in her hometown during the ages of 12-18. In 1961, Domenico and Carmela immigrated to the United States with their two sons and settled in Stamford, CT. Carmela worked as the head tailor at Natelson’s clothing store in Stamford, CT. She then owned and operated New Canaan Custom Tailor Shop for over 20 years; a boutique known for excellence in quality clothing alterations and great conversations. Carmela, also known for her unwavering courage in real estate ownership, took pride in investing. She enjoyed cooking that she credits her mother’s teaching’s. Her greatest joy is when visiting you would leave with her homemade specialties like bread, cookies, pasta, zeppole’s and more. Her passion also included gardening; a floral artisan who cultivated gorgeous flowers. Carmela (Nonna) loved her grandchildren. When she had the chance to put them to bed, she would always tuck them in following the motions of making the sign of the cross. Always ending the evening with In nome del Padre, e del Figlio e dello Spirito Santo. Amen.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St Jude in Carmela’s honor.

https://www.stjude.org/ donate

Family and friends are invited to call Thursday, January 25th from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at LEO P. GALLAGHER & SON FUNERAL HOME, 2900 Summer St., Stamford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 26th at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Leo Church in Stamford, CT with her interment to follow at Lakeview Cemetery, 352 Main Street, New Canaan, CT.