Newington Obituary: Gasper D'Onofrio, 92

On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Gasper R. D'Onofrio, passed away into eternal life in the comfort at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Enfield on October 20, 1923, Gasper was the son of the late Louis and Grace (Mule) D'Onofrio. He was a longtime resident of Newington where he was a communicant of the Church of the Holy Spirit, and had lived at his Florida residence during his retirement years before recently returning to Newington.

A Veteran of the United States Army, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star during WWII. He was employed by the Hartford Board of Education as the head custodian for their schools for 30 years and also worked as a mail handler for the United States Postal Service for 25 years. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge # 2303 of Rocky Hill, the Family Moose Lodge in Florida and the Italian American Club in Hartford.

He is survived by his three children; Richard L. D'Onofrio and his wife Linda-Jean of Newington, Charlotte Stanley and her husband Russ of New Britain, and Louis R. D'Onofrio of Rocky Hill; 3 grandchildren, Catherine Madley, Richard L. D'Onofrio, Jr. and his wife Rosanna, and Andrea Karapanos and her husband Demitrios, 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 72 years, Sophie (Hulevitch) D'Onofrio, four brothers and one sister.

Funeral services will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 9:00 AM from Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington, with a 10:00 AM Liturgy of Christian Burial at Church of the Holy Spirit. Rites of Committal and Military Honors will follow the Mass at West Meadow Cemetery. Calling hours are scheduled for Tuesday evening May 3rd, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Newington Memorial.

The family would like to thank Gasper's niece Karla for her dedication and the exceptional loving care she gave to her uncle and to his caregiver, Tash for everything she did to comfort him.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Newington VA Medical Center, 555 Willard Ave., Newington, CT 06111.