Neil Angelo Cardella, 55, of Tolland: Beloved Father and Longtime AT&T Worker

From Pietras Family Funeral Homes

Neil Angelo Cardella, 55, of Tolland passed away unexpectedly Monday, December 8, 2014, at home with his family.

He was the son of Theresa and Angelo Cardella. He was born in Waterbury, CT in 1959 and lived in Tolland for 20 years. He graduated Holy Cross High School in 1977, earned his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut, and eventually earned his Master’s degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He met his wife on a blind date in 1989, in what could only be described as love at first sight.

Neil worked at AT&T for 29 years, receiving numerous awards during his tenure there. During his youth, Neil was an avid sports fan, specifically of the New York Mets, and his own raw arm talent was believed to rival the Manning Brothers. He was also a self-proclaimed movie buff, a distinction that led to him showing his children countless silent films and mafia movies.

Later in life, Neil dedicated his time to help grow his younger son’s athletic ability into a love of soccer and his older son’s talent for prose into a love for writing. He loved cooking elaborate recipes as often as he could, and was a very observant watcher of Iron Chef. Though his love for sports was great, he loved nothing more than spending time with his entire family, trying his best to make them laugh with jokes he told thousands of times.

Neil is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Maria J. Cardella; his sons, Joshua Angelo Cardella and Jeremy R. Cardella, both of Tolland; his parents, Theresa and Angelo Cardella of Waterbury; his sister, Claudia C. Richard of Wolcott, and her husband, Ralph; his brother, Craig M. Cardella of New Jersey; his brother-in-law, Robert E. Hayes of Tolland, and his wife, Lindsay; his nieces and nephews, Taylor L. Richard and Jordan A. Richard of Wolcott, Tara L. Hayes, Eric D. Hayes, Ethan W. Hayes, and Amanda A. Hayes, all of Tolland; and his close friends, Bonnie and Michael Yetz, both of Newington.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014, at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, Tolland, CT. A funeral home service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at South Cemetery on Cider Mill Road in Tolland. For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

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