Obituary: Joseph A. Mancini Sr., 81, of Fairfield

From Spear-Miller Funeral Home

Joseph Anthony Mancini Sr., 81, of Fairfield, entered into eternal rest while surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, March 18, 2017, joining Vikki, his wife and soulmate of 50 years in Heaven. Joe passed away from Parkinson’s disease which he fought bravely with dignity and grace.

Born in Port Washington, NY, he had been a Fairfield resident since 1973. Joe received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut and retired as an Executive VP of Marketing Research after a 39-year career with the A.C. Nielsen Company.

Joe proudly served in the United States Army both on active duty and in the reserves. An active parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Joe served as a lector, girls basketball coach, and along with Vikki, participated in the CYO, Cursillo, Emmaus and Marriage Encounter programs, enriching the lives of so many.

Joe had a pure love for the game of baseball and devoted a lifetime to coaching in the Fairfield community, from little league on up. His love and devotion for the game remains an inspiration to countless young ball players, his children, and his grandchildren. His joy came from hitting “bombers” with his sons and grandsons and watching Nana cook with the grandchildren. He made sure that every year on Valentine’s Day his daughters got a special gift from their “first love.”

The beauty and depth of his love for Vikki touched everyone who knew them. He was a devout New York Yankee, New York Giant’s and UConn Huskies fan. Joe gave the gift of himself and his time to everyone who met him. His laugh was infectious and his love of life and his family knew no bounds. He will be profoundly missed by the beloved children he and Vikki raised, Melleney Montello and her companion, Steven Almonte of Buzzards Bay, MA, Lori Becker and her husband, Emerson of Fairfield, Joseph A. Mancini, Jr. of Fairfield, Christopher Mancini and his wife Happy of Arusha Tanzania and Alison Torreso and her husband Scott of Stratford; 11 cherished grandchildren, Markie and JJ Montello, Jamie Becker; Gabrielle, Sophia, Joseph and Ava Mancini; Victoria Mancini; and Julia, Anthony and Samantha Torreso; a loving great-granddaughter, Devyn Victoria; a brother-in-law, William Mitchell Jusick of Palm Coast, Fl; a sister-in-law, Carol Jean Lumazza and her husband Paul Jacobovitz of Savannah, GA, four nieces and nephews, Richard Lumazza, Julie White, Heather Torriello and Ryan Jusick.

He was predeceased by his wife, parents, a brother, Louis Mancini and an infant sister, Anita Mancini.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. meeting directly at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road (RT 59) Fairfield. Interment will be private. Friends may call Friday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff of the Medical ICU at Bridgeport Hospital for the care and compassion provided to Joseph during his illness. In appreciation for the wonderful care their dad received the family has directed that in lieu of flowers friends may consider a donation to the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT 06610.

To leave online condolences, visit Spear-Miller Funeral Home here.