Enfield War Veteran and Historian Passes Away

ENFIELD, CT — Town officials and residents are mourning the passing of one of Enfield's most dedicated, selfless volunteers who devoted nearly seven decades of his life giving back to his hometown and his country.

Anthony "Tony" Secondo, 86, passed away Sunday. He leaves his wife of 65 years, Patricia (Brouillette) Secondo; daughters Marci Kinnin and Leah Secondo; grandchildren Todd and Laura; and a host of relatives and friends throughout the Enfield community and beyond.

Secondo was president of the Class of 1949 at Enfield High School, captaining the football and basketball teams in his senior year. The 1948 Raider football squad was undefeated, and was inducted into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, Secondo was extremely active in veterans' affairs following his active duty. He was past commander of the John Maciolek American Legion Post 154, and served on the former Purple Heart Committee. For many years, he served as a rifleman with the Post 154 honor guard at military funerals, and he was a past recipient of the Enfield Patriot Award.

"As a kid I clearly remember Tony, the proud veteran, being part of every parade I ever attended," Deputy Mayor Bill Lee said. "Growing older, I began to encounter Tony at Red Cross blood drives, and then at the Enfield Historical Society where he loved contributing to the exhibits and welcoming visitors. Tony and Ed Allen were two gentlemen that got me involved in the restoration effort at the Hazardville Institute. Tony was a founding member of the organization and still completely dedicated to the project. He was at the monthly board meeting just last week. Tony Secondo knew how important it was to tell stories, and to preserve parts of our past so they can be shared with future generations. He was an incredibly generous man – both with his time and his talents."

His generous volunteerism encompassed numerous organizations in his hometown. He was past president of the Enfield Historical Society, taking an active part on the Wallop School, Hazardville Institute, Old Town Hall Museum, Heritage Day and Martha Parsons House committees. In 1976, he was chairman of the massive Town of Enfield Bicentennial Celebration, and later served on Enfield’s 300th Anniversary Committee.

Other civic involvement included serving on the board of directors of the Enfield Society for the Detection of Thieves and Robbers, the Enfield Ambulance Committee and the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame.

"Tony Secondo was a trailblazer and true patriot for Enfield and his country," Hall of Fame chairman Mike Cotnoir said. "He served both with honor, compassion, and love. He was always that smiling and brilliant mind you became enthralled with during the tours of the Old Town Hall and our locations of yesteryear. His love of his country and his military service was evident in his volunteer efforts with the American Legion. He was always willing to give back to anyone in our town, and was especially proud to share its rich history. Tony would offer his time to get involved in our local organizations as a volunteer because he believed in this community, and always tried to make it better. I had the pleasure in working closely with him on the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame committee for many years. Since he grew up here, he knew everyone and his athletic talents (member of the 1948 EHS championship football team) made him a perfect fit to help our committee. I cannot express nothing but love, admiration, and honor in talking about Tony. He always went through town with a smile, and a story. He was so interwoven into the DNA of Enfield for the past 75+ years, he will be sorely missed by all in town. We can only thank him for sharing his tremendous knowledge of this town's heritage to thousands of people here. Our deepest condolences go out to his wonderful family, and we know our town historian is resting peacefully now."

Calling hours will be Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road, Enfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. in St. Bernard Church, 426 Hazard Ave. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Patrick’s King Street Cemetery, Enfield.

Photo courtesy of Secondo family