Vito Manuzzi, Jr.

Vito Manuzzi Jr. passed away Wednesday March 9th at The William W. Backus Hospital.

Vito was born on October 16th, 1935 in Harrison, NY.  The family moved to Norwich, CT. in the 1940’s.  Vito was raised in Norwich by his parents, Vito Sr. and Rosa (Deserio), both of whom predeceased him. Vito was very proud to be a first-generation Italian American.  Vito attended Norwich Free Academy and was a 1956 graduate.

After High School, Vito served in the Connecticut Army National Guard Reserves for 7 years. Vito and his high school sweetheart and wife Minnie, then moved from Norwich to Montville where they raised their family and resided for 31 years.  Vito was a very proud member of I.B.E.W 35, working for 41 years as a skilled electrician, attaining the role of foreman on many large industrial projects.  He worked in the local and Hartford areas and later was always excited to share his union bulletin with anyone who visited his home.

Besides his devoted wife Minnie (Beetham) of 63 years, Vito leaves behind two sons and their wives; Nick and Karen (Coward) of Westerly RI., and Mark and Monique (Greczkowski) of Glasgo, CT.  Vito was predeceased by older sisters Loretta Busca of New London and Lucy Ficarra of Westerly, RI., and is survived by his two other sisters;  Emily Montalbini of Montville, CT and Rose Marie Mackin of Griswold, CT.  Vito is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Vito especially enjoyed hunting and hiking the White Mountains; these were an expression of his passion for the outdoors of New Hampshire.  He enjoyed the activities and area so much that after retiring he and Minnie moved to Moultonborough, NH.  They resided there for 12 years before moving back to Preston, CT.

Calling hours will be held 10:00-11:00AM on Friday, March 18th at the Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home 490 Voluntown Road Jewett City, CT.  A memorial service will immediately follow at 11:00AM at the funeral home.  For online condolences please go to www.gagnefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the Italian Heritage & Cultural Committee of Norwich and/or the Connecticut chapter of The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/ct.

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