Obituary: Robert A. 'Bob' Tarantino Sr., 84, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Robert A. “Bob” Tarantino Sr., 84, of Wallingford, died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the Regency House. He was the loving husband of 60 years to Susan (Annunziata) Tarantino.

He was born in Southington, CT, May 10, 1936, the son of the late Anthony and Margaret (Pasquale) Tarantino. After graduation from Southington High School he accepted a job as a cost accountant for Connecticut Telephone and Electric Corporation in Meriden. Bob was employed as a cost accountant for several local companies, the last of which was William J. Mack Company in North Haven.

While working during the day he attended Quinnipiac University at night graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1974. Bob was a parishioner of Church of the Resurrection. He was an active Life Member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #1365 – Wallingford.

His accomplishments include holding the positions of Trustee, Chaplain, Tiler and serving on the House Committee. He was honored as Past Officer of the Year, served on the Ritual Team and honored as All Star Repeat Officer of 2001.

Bob also acted as State Chairman of Auditing and Business Practices for the Connecticut Elks Association for eight years. Bob has Carried the flag of our nation in Memorial Day parades and attended many Flag Day ceremonies. He loved salt water fishing and gardening.

In addition to his wife Susan, Bob is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Mary Tarantino of Wallingford: his two daughters and son-in-law, Deborah Anne and Frank DeFelice of Parish, FL, and Lisa Anne McCarthy, of Tampa, FL; his five loving grandchildren, Anthony Jordan and Ryan Robert of Wallingford, Jeff Dean of Boston, and Weston Jay McCarthy and Quinn Angelina McCarthy of Florida; his sisters, Susan Belanger and her husband Nelson, and Patty Sgrillo; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James Champagne, Josephine Annunziata, and Albert and Lesia Annunziata; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Rosemary Champagne; and his brother-in-law, Ralph Sgrillo.

Bob’s family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Saturday, August 29, from 9 to 11:15 am. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are required.

A graveside service and an Elk’s Ritual will be held Saturday at 12 pm directly at St. John Cemetery in Wallingford. Bob and Susan spent many years running the Special People’s Party at the Elks Lodge and his family would like to suggest donations in Bob’s memory be sent to: Special Olympics Connecticut, 2666 State St., Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517. Please see online memorial at www.wallingfordfh.com