Obituary: Carmel Dolores DeMatteo Greco, 99, of East Haven

Obituary courtesy of Porto Funeral Homes:

Carmel Dolores DeMatteo Greco, 99, of East Haven beloved wife of the late Clement J. Greco passed away peacefully at her home on June 18, 2022 in the caress of her loving daughter, Marilyn, after a battle with cancer. Born in New Haven on April 4, 1923 daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Anthony and Pasqualina Rapuana DeMatteo. Loving mother of Joan Melillo, Sharon (Stephen) Wronski, James Greco, Dr. Barbara Greco (Dr. Patrick Barnett), Marilyn Greco, Michael (Christine) Greco and the late Robert Greco. Carmel is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Christopher (Diane) Melillo, Steven (Jennifer) Melillo, Marcie (Brian) Hanson, James (JJ) Greco, Jonathan (Estephania) Wronski, Jennifer (Mardi) Santana, Melissa Greco (Coleman Feeney), Maria (Luca) Bernardo, Michael Greco, Michael (Annalise Ohse) Barnett, and Stephen Barnett. She will be missed by her 8 great grandchildren, Christopher and Thomas Melillo, Jessica and Jack Hanson, Nick and Abbey, and Anastasia Rose and Sebastian Wronski. Sister of the late Anna DeMatteo, Antoinette Girardi, Mary Vinci, Josephine DeLucia and Stephen and William DeMatteo and mother-in-law of the late Christopher Melillo. She leaves behind many nephews and nieces including Phyllis Stackpole, her “other daughter,” many friends, and those lucky enough to have made her acquaintance.

Carmel attended Commercial High in New Haven then went on to work at Hendrick’s in New Haven. After marriage to Clem Greco, she focused on being a devoted wife and mother, creating a legacy of celebration of life’s landmarks, holidays, birthdays, with large family gatherings that the Grecos are famous for. Her home was always full of family, love, food, warmth, and good company. She was an avid reader and puzzler. She was a devoted fan of the Connecticut women’s basketball team, the Huskies. She embodied the values of love, generosity, loyalty, and simplicity. She was a devout Catholic and prayed a strand of Rosary for each of her 6 living children daily. From her small perch in East Haven, she touched many lives in her near century of life. Carmel was an irreplaceable source of strength and support for her loved ones. She will be dearly missed.

The Greco family would like to thank Carmel’s caregivers Lucy Anastasio and Katty Diaz for the special care shown to Carmel during her illness.

Her funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte. 80) East Haven WEDNESDAY morning at 10:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in St. Vincent dePaul Church at 11:00. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Family and friends may call WEDNESDAY morning from 8:30 to 10:30.