Francis A. “Tootie” DeGennaro Sr., 87, entered into eternal rest on January 15, 2016, at Griffin Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Louise J. Bartone DeGennaro.
Tootie was born in Derby on August 1, 1928, son of the late John and Lucy Musto DeGennaro.
A lifelong resident of the Derby community, he was employed as a letter carrier for the Derby Post Office retiring after 26 years of service. Amongst many other jobs during his lifetime, he also worked at his parents’ restaurant, Danny’s Coffee Shop “Kid Palmer’s” Restaurant in Derby, and as a waiter/maître D at Actor’s Colony, Les Shaws, Park Plaza, Ambassador Restaurant and River Restaurant. Tootie was a dedicated funeral director’s assistant at Spinelli-Ricciuti Funeral Home in Ansonia for 12 years.
A 1947 graduate of Derby High School, he excelled in football as an offensive lineman and went on to play semi-pro football for the Ansonia Independents. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was an active communicant of St. Mary Church in Derby. He served as past treasurer for the National Assoc. of Letter Carriers Valley Branch 109, and loved cooking and baking anytime and any day, especially on Sundays, during holidays and Easter time, making traditional Italian specialties including large Christmas Eve fish dinners, pastry, pies and apizza gain. Tootie also enjoyed watching UConn women’s basketball, western movies and cooking shows, visiting the casino, scratch offs, his 1966 Mustang, attending car shows, Sunday church and breakfast, Thursday night dinners, postal union conventions and especially spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by sons, John G. DeGennaro of Derby, Francis A. DeGennaro Jr. (Cindee) of Seymour, a daughter, Attorney Barbara Lynn DeGennaro and her husband Kenneth Marcucio Jr. of Derby, a brother, John DeGennaro of Oxford, grandchildren, Amanda, Francis III and Audra, 7 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also survived by his loving extended family including Paul Landolfi, Ron and Sal Persico, Lou Saldamarco, Joe Savastano, Tom Rak, John “Muzzy” Musante, Joe Iacuone, Russ Korolyshun, Felicia Monaco, Rick and Anthony Bartholomew and Ken and Judy Marcucio. He was predeceased by a brother, Dominic “Danny” DeGennaro and a godson, Ralph “Butchie” Ardito.
A special heartfelt thanks to Dr. John Farens for his compassion, medical care, professionalism and friendship through the years.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday January 18, 2016, from 3 – 7 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Tuesday, his funeral will be held at 9:00 am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Mary Church in Derby. Interment will take place in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Storm Ambulance Corps, 151 Olivia Street, Derby, CT 06418 or through the funeral home.
To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
