Obituaries

Obituary: Onofrio J. Piacquadio, 87, Of Bethel And Ridgefield

Mr. Piacquadio was responsible for integrating the New York City Board of Education, hiring the first non-white employee.

Information Courtesy Kane Funeral Home

BETHEL, CT — Onofrio J. Piacquadio, 87, of Bethel, longtime resident of Ridgefield, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021. He was the loving husband of the late Helen Piacquadio.

Mr. Piacquadio was born on September 10, 1933 in Italy; a son of the late Giovanni and Philomena (Pozzuto) Piacquadio. Onofrio emigrated to New York when he was 5 years old and lived in the Bronx. As a young adult he went to night school while supporting his parents and sister because his father had contracted tuberculosis working in coal mines and steel mills. He worked for the NYC Board of Education and worked his way up to being head of shops and maintenance, responsible for constructing and maintaining all of the public school buildings of the five boroughs of New York City. Onofrio, as a manager, was responsible for integrating the Board of Education, hiring the first non-white employee. He married Helen in 1978, had two children and moved to Ridgefield in 1992 from the Bronx.

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Attempting to retire multiple times, he was always drawn back into the work force, continuing to work up until earlier this year. Mr. Piacquadio was currently working as a Project Engineer for St. John’s Hospital of Yonkers. In his spare time, Onofrio enjoyed paddleball, bocce, and a nice glass of red wine. He was an avid jogger even up until earlier this year. Mr. Piacquadio was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church of Ridgefield and Bethel.

Onofrio is survived by his two children; Jennifer and John Piacquadio as well as a cousin, many nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends.

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Friends will be received on Monday, July 26, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the St. Mary’s Church School Hall; 183 High Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ridgefield.

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