Kenneth A. Galitello, Jr.

Kenneth A. Galitello Jr. passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024, in the home he designed and loved. He was born February 28, 1956, in Torrington, Connecticut to the late Kenneth A. Galitello Sr. and Shirley Villar Galitello. Ken graduated from Torrington High School in 1974 and attended Northwestern Connecticut Community College and the University of Connecticut.

While Ken was growing up, there were always occasions for family gatherings, whether a summer picnic, a birthday, the arrival of a new baby, or some other event. The family’s large backyard was often the location for the celebration. Games were played, good food was enjoyed, and music filled the air. Family members played guitars and harmonicas, and everyone sang along to familiar songs. Ken said, “We always came together with love in our hearts to support one another.” He took great pleasure in the time spent with his family at their property in Winchester, Connecticut, where they rode snowmobiles and minibikes, went horseback riding and enjoyed the outdoor life.

When Ken was young, he began his lifelong love of cars. His first car, a 1966 Chevy, made way for one of his more memorable cars, a 1970 Pontiac GTO. Ken was often found on East Main Street in Torrington joining other friends and their cars. He spent many happy hours with his GTO cruising along back roads and working on the cars that followed.

His earliest jobs were automotive related, but he eventually held several positions in engineering. In 1989 he was granted a patent for a free piston engine. His last employment was at Allied Engineering Associates in Canaan, Connecticut, a place where he made good friends and enjoyed his work.

In 1982 Ken went on a spiritual retreat that changed his life. From that time on, he loved to serve the Lord any way he could. He participated in other retreats and encouraged others to join him. In 1988 Ken was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but MS was not going to stop him. He fought back by becoming more involved and dedicated to his church, St. Peter Church, now part of St. John Paul the Great parish in Torrington. Ken helped start a bible study and worked with others to bring interdenominational speakers to area churches. He was a lector, Eucharistic minister and member and officer of the St. Peter Parish Council. Ken was also active in the Holy Name Society, which supports the parish in any way they can. The guidelines he introduced for their fund-raising efforts are still used today. In 2001 his health began to slowly decline, but he was always grateful and happy to serve the Lord whenever and however he could.

In 2022 Ken was honored to receive the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation from the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Ken had a special place in his heart for the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut, and often recommended attending the Center’s retreats to others. He was able to attend retreats there for 25 years. 

In his later years Ken was involved in the Cursillo Movement and devoted his time and energy to bringing people closer to the Lord and fostering true friendships in Christ.

Ken’s family was very important to him, and he loved them dearly. He enjoyed reminiscing about his parents and grandparents, working on a family tree and looking at old family pictures and videos. One of his greatest pleasures was putting old reel to reel tapes of family gatherings into a video and adding accompanying music. He is survived by his wife Dianna Galitello, daughter Christa Galitello, sister Audrey Coughlin, brother Roger Galitello, brother James Coffey III and his wife Terri, sister Amanda Bailey and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. His brothers and sisters remained close to him until the very end, for which we will always be grateful.

Our family would like to thank the home health aides, nurses and occupational and physical therapists from Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County that cared for Ken. There are too many of you to name but know we are indebted to you for your care and support.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, to St. Peter Church (St. John Paul the Great Parish), 99 East Main St., Torrington for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at St. Peter Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on May 25^th at Cook Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory can be made to the Holy Name Society of St. John Paul the Great Parish, 160 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790.

In Ken’s words, “peace and love” to you all.