Elsie (Sacco) Manes

Elsie Sacco Manes of Litchfield, CT died at home on May 28, 2023, 16 days before her 101st birthday.

Born in Torrington to Italian immigrants Marco and Marianna (Bernardi) Sacco, Elsie graduated from Torrington High School in 1939. She worked as a seamstress and bookkeeper until she married Rocco Manes, also of Torrington, in 1946. Along with their young son, the couple moved to Litchfield in 1956 where Rocco owned and operated the Litchfield Barber Shop.

In 1966 she began a 20-year career as a dispatcher for the Connecticut State Police, Troop L barracks. Following retirement, the couple enjoyed ballroom dancing as well as traveling. They made several trips to Italy, and Elsie's fluency in Italian helped generations of their families reconnect with one another.  An avid sewing hobbyist, she made clothes for herself and family. Following Rocco's death in 2007, Elsie was active as a volunteer and participant at the Litchfield Community Center. She also volunteered with Quilts that Care.

Elsie leaves her son, Robert, of Nassau, NY; daughter-in-law, Nancy Walsh Manes, of New Lebanon, NY; granddaughters, Cara Manes (Sean Fuller), of Brooklyn, NY, and Gina Willard (Steven) of Enfield, CT; two great-grandchildren, Luca Fuller and Giulia Willard; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are from 6-8PM on Friday, June 2, 2023, at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, June 3rd at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, (St. Louis de Montford Parish) 49 South St., Litchfield, where Elsie has been a communicant since 1956, followed by a private burial at New St. Francis Cemetery, Torrington.  Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at St. Anthony of Padua Church.  The family will host a reception for relatives and friends on June 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 21 Harris Road, Litchfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759.

Condolences may be sent to Elsie’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com