Giovanni "John" Labbadia, 74; South Glastonbury Resident, Retired Tile Craftsman

From Ahern Funeral Home.

Giovanni “John” Labbadia, 74, of South Glastonbury, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born Sept. 25, 1939 in Lenola, Province of Latina, Italy, son of the late Salvatore and Onorata (Spirito) Labbadia.

Prior to retiring, John was self-employed as a tile craftsman and carpet installer. He was a communicant at St. Anthony Church in Bristol. John’s love was his family and grandchildren and he especially loved cooking for everyone. He enjoyed traveling to visit friends all over the country and could always be found at the Blackjack table at Foxwoods Casino.

John is survived by his two sons and their wives, Dino and Patricia Labbadia of East Canaan, and John and Jane Labbadia of Unionville; his grandchildren, Cristina, Nicholas, Alyssa, Matthew, Anthony, Nieko and Drew, his step-grandchildren, Anthony, Juliana and Fausto; his siblings, Angelo Labbadia and his wife Valentina of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saverio Labbadia and his wife Angelina of Bristol, Julia Forgetta and her husband Peter of Cromwell; sister-in-law Josefina Labbadia of Brazil, several nieces and nephews and his special friends Angelo Strano and family of Glastonbury.

He was predeceased by his brother, Rocco Labbadia and his sister, Maria Labbadia Davia and her husband Gaspare.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center and Geer Convalescent Home.

Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be at 10:15 a.m. followed by the funeral liturgy in St. Anthony Church, Bristol at 11 a.m.. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital – Fund Development, 80 Seymour St., P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT 06102-5037.