Joseph Guarnieri

Joseph (Joe) Guarnieri, 97, of Torrington, CT, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of the late Theresa (Pratillo) Guarnieri.

Joseph was born February 27, 1923 in Paris, France, and lived in Paris and Morfasso, Italy until he emigrated to the United States in 1950.  He served in the Alpini Division of the Royal Italian Army in World War II and became a prisoner of war.  Germany redesignated his status as an Italian military internee and deported him into German forced labor camps. In the U.S., Joseph became a mason, general contractor, and realtor and established Joseph Guarnieri Masonry and Construction and Guarnieri Realty.  He was a Litchfield County Honorary Dep. Sheriff, parishioner of St. Peter Church, and member of UNICO National, Torrington Elks Lodge, and Sons of Italy.

Joseph is survived by his daughter, Doreen O’Brien, and his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Guarnieri and Michael Cruess, all of Torrington. He is also survived by grandchildren Dia, Larisa, and Michael O’Brien, and James and Joseph Guarnieri-Cruess; sister Regina Rapacioli of Torrington; and several nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces. He was predeceased by his parents, Giovanni and Graziosa (Croci) Guarnieri and sisters, Maria Cavaciuti, Dorina Recidivi, and Teresina Guarnieri.

Only Joe’s love of family and home surpassed his great tenacity, resourcefulness, optimism, entrepreneurial spirit, desire to help others, and endearing idiosyncrasies. Everyone who knew him recognized that Joe Guarnieri broke the mold and made the world a better place.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Church (St. John Paul the Great Parish) 99 East Main St., Torrington, CT 06790.  Entombment will follow at St. Peter Mausoleum.  Relatives and friends may call on Friday, December 4. 2020, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home.  All attending calling hours or funeral services must adhere to CDC recommendations for COVID prevention by following social distancing and wearing protective face masks.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Condolences may be sent to the Guarnieri family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com