Marinaccio Family Reunites For 50th Time In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — A longstanding annual tradition interrupted for two years by the coronavirus pandemic finally resumed this past weekend in Enfield, and achieved a significant milestone in the process.

Descendants of Teresio and Alessandria Marinaccio gathered for a family reunion for the 50th time. 38 people attended a dinner Friday night at Figaro's Restaurant, and about 80 people turned out Saturday at the American Legion Post on Enfield Street for the formal reunion.

An immigrant from Accadia, Italy, Teresio Marinaccio married Alessandria Tancedi on June 23, 1902 in Derby. Between 1903 and 1927, the couple had 11 children; the youngest, Carmellina Mary, known as "Ducky," married David French in 1960. She died in 1979, but David French attended the reunion as the oldest surviving family member and only second-generation in-law.

Teresio was the Enfield tax collector, and also owned a printing press which produced the town newspaper. He died in 1934; he and his wife are both buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Enfield.

The initial gathering of the family took place at the French's home in West Haven on July 19, 1970. For 49 years, reunions were held annually until the pandemic caused cancellation of the event in both 2020 and 2021.

"I know we all look forward every year to the name tags, the wine, the food, the new additions to the family and telling stories of growing up in the old neighborhood," co-organizer Carl Piemonte wrote in the event program. "The family reunion means something different to everyone in this family. I have always loved being a part of this family. I've grown up with the family reunion. Taking it over from my grandmother I knew was a huge responsibility. All she ever asked of me was to keep the reunion going."