Gloria Anna (Ballarin) Oneglia

Gloria Anna (Ballarin) Oneglia of Litchfield lived a full 94 years of life before passing away on December 16, 2019.
Born in Litchfield, November 18, 1925, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Sonego) Ballarin, and the sister of the late Julius Ballarin and the late Rudolph Ballarin.
After attending schools in Litchfield, Gloria worked at the Torrington Company in the Needle Division, but her life took a pivotal turn when road construction began on South Street in Litchfield in front of her family home. An outdoor well provided fresh drinking water for the working crew, and she caught the eye of the man who would later become the Chairman of the Board of O&G Industries. He was Raymond Oneglia, the only man she ever loved. She was devoted to Raymond for nearly 63 years until his passing in 2009.
Gloria’s life centered around her family, both nuclear and extended. The large Oneglia clan and the small Ballarin clan kept her busy tending to everyone’s needs. Her specialty was homemade pasta and chicken broth, which found its way to every sickbed and holiday table to which she assigned herself. One of her favorite diversions was sitting at the piano, playing standards and Christmas carols. Two weeks before she passed a family member captured a video of Gloria on the bench, pounding the ivories.
Her boundless energy, indomitable spirit, and resilience sustained her through many losses and disappointments. She had an uncanny ability to find joy in the simplest pleasures. A visit from a grandchild or “the priest,” a hummingbird on the feeder, a Sinatra song or a poker game in the locker room gave her all she needed to have a fulfilling day.
She was active in the Mother’s Club at St. Peter School and was an avid and quite determined golfer, enjoying the game both at the Torrington Country Club and Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach. She and Raymond participated in many club and charity tournaments together. She was at the top of her game whenever she was with her one true love, often sinking a critical putt to win the tournament and the admiration from Raymond.
Gloria’s final years were happy and fulfilling in large part owing to the tireless, loving care provided by her caregivers: Chris, Clara, Deborah, Kelly, Lorissa, Lou, Marcie, Meg, Nancy, Roxy, and Terri. Dr. Alphonse Altorelli, her competent and compassionate physician, helped her to maintain her vitality well into her ninth decade, and lent generous support and guidance to the family during Gloria’s final week of life. Her final days were also made more peaceful and comfortable by the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Hospice team and medical staff.
She is survived by her son Raymond and his wife Ellen, her daughter Cynthia and her husband Dan Whalen, and her son David and his wife Irene. Also surviving are her seven grandchildren, their spouses, and her eight great-grandchildren: Jennifer Oneglia and Emily and Ryan Tufford; Liz Gioia and Zachary and Jackson Gioia; Brad Oneglia, his wife Heidi, and Quinn and Ellis Oneglia; Sayzie Koldys and her husband Jan Witting; Nathan Koldys; Ryan Oneglia; Myra Oneglia, her husband Matt Albrecht, and Russell and Jeffrey Albrecht. In addition, she is survived by her beloved sisters-in-law, Cora Regis and Anita Torizzo and her husband Ernest. She also leaves ten nieces and nine nephews.
In addition to those mentioned, she was predeceased by her brother-in-law Francis Oneglia and his wife Louisa, George Oneglia and his wife Elmira, brothers-in-law Mike Cianciolo and Peter Regis, sister-in-law Barbara Oneglia Alvarez Tycienski and brothers-in-law Robert Alvarez and Marty Tycienski, sisters-in-law Betty Ballarin and Della Ballarin, and her nephew Robert Oneglia.
Calling  hours will take place at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield Street, Torrington, from  8-10 AM on Friday, December 20, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South Street, Litchfield, at 11 AM. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, 76 Walnut Street, Torrington following the Mass.
In keeping with Gloria’s devotion to special causes in her life, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Louis de Montfort Parish (St. Anthony of Padua), P.O. Box 97, Litchfield, CT 06759 and the B.O.A.T. Fund at The Northwest CT Community Foundation, 33 East Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790. The B.O.A.T. Fund is a family fund, named for her deceased sister-in-law, who championed children’s causes.
www.cookfuneralhomect.com