Gennaro "Jerry" Salvatore Laurito, 86, of Rocky Hill, died peacefully July 30, 2014 at his home surrounded by the love of his family. He was the beloved husband of Joan (Pelletier) Laurito and was predeceased by two wives-Shirley (Roberts) Laurito and the mother of his children, Santina (Viola) Laurito. He was the son of James and Lucy (Bonaiuto) Laurito. Born in Hartford on March 30, 1928, he remained a 'kid from the corner' and spent many hours with his friends from the Clay Hill Gang, including his life-long friend, Bernard Bodine. After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he followed in his father's footsteps and became a skilled union bricklayer. He served on the Executive Board and as Business Agent for Local #1, Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers Union for more than 20 years, and was well respected by both union members and the building trades community. He helped to construct Saint Elizabeth Seton Church in Rocky Hill and gathered friends and tradesmen to volunteer many hours of their time. In his retirement, Jerry was an avid casino poker player and a member of the local billiards clubs. Besides his wife, he leaves one son, Joseph Laurito and his wife Patricia; his four daughters, Lucy Brakoniecki and her husband Jim; Geraldine Jacobson; Linda Alexander and her husband Doug; Susan Gagnon and her husband Mario; and his stepson, Richard Reno and his wife Carolyn. He also leaves his adored grandchildren, Sandra, Joseph, Lauren, Alexa, Katrina, Jessica, Sam and Mikela and one cherished great-grandchild, Julia. Jerry will also be dearly missed by his sisters, Delores Laurito and Elizabeth Mancuso, as well as a large extended group of family and friends. A special thank you to the outstanding staff of VNA Hospice Care, as well as to his caregivers, Harriet, Verna and Vincent whose compassionate, dignified care enabled Jerry to stay at home. Funeral service will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 280 Brook St., Rocky Hill. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Calling hours are TODAY from 4-8 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions in Jerry's name can be made to the March of Dimes , 500 Winding Brook Dr., Suite 8, Glastonbury, CT 06033. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.



Published in The Hartford Courant on Aug. 1, 2014