Armand Maniccia, Sr.

On April 11, 2024, Armand Maniccia Sr., husband of the late Romilda (Cesaro) Maniccia, passed away in the comfort of his home at the age of 96. He was the sixth child born to Italian immigrants Tulio and Giovannina (DiCicco) Maniccia on December 17, 1927, in the family home in Torrington. Armand attended the Burrville school in times when children walked to school and were responsible for keeping the wood stove lit. His high school career ended prematurely so that he could provide financial assistance to his parents and siblings when the family entered the dairy business, the most memorable and rewarding of Armand’s careers.  He would have continued in farming if not for his call to the military.  Armand proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean war and often reminisced about his experience there. Armand met his wife, Romilda, on her first visit with her Uncle Joseph Cesaro and family in Torrington. Upon her return to Italy, Armand continued correspondence and with great determination, convinced her to be his bride. They were married in Pompeii, Italy on June 27, 1957 and returned to Torrington to make a home and raise their children. Armand worked at various industries, retiring from the Torrington Company, Standard Plant.  His part-time job at Mencuccini’s Supermarket was a highlight of his career, affording him the opportunity to meet some wonderful customers who he bumped into at unexpected places both near and far. Armand was a communicant of St. Peter Church and a volunteer at Lourdes of Litchfield where he helped beautify the landscape and assist with annual tag sales.  In addition, he was a member of the Torrington Elks and also enjoyed working out and chatting with friends at Planet Fitness. Armand’s greatest joys in life centered around his work ethic. Vacations for him were working in his garden, on house projects, or chopping wood.  Armand was a minimalist and environmentalist before it was fashionable, respecting our natural resources and protecting them from waste. Dress code for him required a flannel shirt, work pants, and steel toed boots.  He believed in supporting local and buying American products. Armand could be pleased by the most simple things in life: a meticulously cared for lawn, a healthy tomato crop, his maple trees, a bowl of spaghetti on Sundays, watching a wrestling match, and hugs from his grandchildren. 

Armand is survived by his children: Ann Marie Burgess (Stephen), Joanne Maniccia, Armand Jr.(Tracy), Paul (Jennifer), grandchildren: Jena Bergeron(Jeffrey) and son Jeffrey; Brendan Burgess (Elizabeth); William Burgess (Honor Lawler) and sons Theodore, Philip, Calvin; Brice Burgess; and Nicolas, Alexa, Luca, and Lia Maniccia, his sisters: Elda Rosenbeck, Anna and Frances Maniccia who always looked out for their little brother, and sister-in-law Norma Maniccia, and several nieces and nephews.  Besides his parents, he was predeceased by siblings Victoria, Angelo, Carlo, Mario Maniccia and sister Mary Torneo.

A special thank you to the Malaika Home Care especially Mary Mwape for her loving care over the past four years. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, with the cortege leaving at 9:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT to St. Peter Church (St. John Paul the Great Parish), 99 East Main St., Torrington, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.  Entombment will follow at St. Peter Cemetery with full military honors accorded.   Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home. 

Memorial contributions can be sent in Armand’s memory to The Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield 83 Montfort Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, or VFW Post 296 PO Box 53 Winsted CT 06098.