Gabriele Santoro

Gabriele Santoro, 85, of Torrington, CT, passed away Monday, July 27, 2015, at his residence.  He was the beloved husband of Antoniette (DeSimone) Santoro for 48 years.

Mr. Santoro was born July 18, 1930, in Popoli, Italy, son of the late Ignacio and Anna (Finocchi) Santoro.  He traveled to the United States in 1962, and was the owner / operator of Santoro’s Cleaners.  A devoted husband and loving father, he enjoyed working in his vegetable gardens, and making homemade wine and prosciutto.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Gaetano Santoro and daughter-in-law Shannon, Daniel Santoro and daughter-in-law Sarah, both from Harwinton; two brothers, Bruno Santoro and sister-in-law Elaine of New Hartford, Guido Santoro and sister-in-law Maria of Medford, MA; one sister, Vera Silvestre of Wethersfield, CT; five grandchildren, Lauren, Nicolas, Alexa, Connor and Ryan Santoro, as well as several nieces, nephews, and many friends.  He was preceded in death by Maria Santoro Scalora and her husband Gaspare, Agatha Santoro Zaino and her husband Jack, Lidia Santoro D’Amato and a brother-in-law Emidio Silvestre.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 1, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 107 East Main St., Torrington, CT.  Friends are asked to meet directly at St. Peter Church.  Entombment will follow in St. Peter Mausoleum.  Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT 06790.

In memory of Mr. Santoro, Santoro’s Cleaners will be closed on Saturday, August 1, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harwinton Volunteer Ambulance Association, P. O. Box 165, Harwinton, CT 06791.  Condolences may be sent to the Santoro family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com