Rocky Hill Obituary: Giuseppe LoNero, 81

Giuseppe “Joe” LoNero, 81, of Rocky Hill, beloved husband of Lina (Giliberto) LoNero passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 with his loving family by his side.

Joe was born in Solarino, Siracusa, Sicily on February 9, 1937, son of the late Salvatore and Sebastiana (Signorino) LoNero. Joe came to the United States in 1960 at the age of 23 in search of the American Dream. Joe was a natural entrepreneur and started several successful businesses, beginning with two barbershops.

From there, Joe decided to pursue a long-term interest, expanding his sights as a restaurateur, opening his first restaurant in 1972 in Manchester. In 1982, he opened Lena’s Restaurant in South Windsor with his wife Lina and family working alongside. Joe’s special interests included cooking, gardening, spending time with his grandchildren and playing cards with family and friends.

Joe was also an avid soccer fan and an active member in the Italian American Stars Club, where he served in many capacities, including President.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, Joe is survived by a daughter, Lena LoNero of Glastonbury and her children, Clarissa and Isabelle; a son, Sal and his wife Marie of Rocky Hill and their children, Stefen, Damon and Sal; two brothers, Sebastian LoNero of New Britain and Paolo LoNero and his wife Lucia of Hartford; three brothers-in-law, Paul Giliberto and his wife Helen of Newington, Joseph Giliberto and his wife Pat of Newington and Sal Giliberto of East Hartford; three sisters-in-law, Pina LoNero of Rocky Hill, Tina Teodoro and her husband Frank of Rocky Hill and Teresa Giliberto and her husband Carmelo of Rocky Hill as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Lina, and a brother Salvatore, with whom he had a special relationship.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at DaVita of Rocky Hill and Bel-Air Manor of Newington.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 26th at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish (St. James Church), 767 Elm St., Rocky Hill. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 3–6 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield.

For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.