Roberto (Bob) Joseph Della Donna
March 30, 1933 — June 17, 2017
Roberto (Bob) Joseph Della Donna, of Torrington, died June 17, 2017. He was born March 30, 1933, in Arzene (Udine) Italy, the son of the late Lino and Velia (Pistor) Della Donna. He was the husband of Judith (Marino) Della Donna.
At the age of 14, he came to Torrington where he attended public schools. He joined the U. S. Airforce at 19 during the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of staff sergeant. He was honorable discharged in 1956 after which he attended Post Junior College where he earned his Associate Degree in accounting. He worked for Talley Industries for 37 years in accounting, becoming cost accounting manager for the plant in Thomaston. Bob served the City of Torrington as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for 33 years. Bob’s lifelong involvement with the Order of Sons of Italy in American began in 1951 when he joined Concordia Lodge #20. He became its Treasurer in 1973 and its President in 1981. Beginning in 1983, he served for six years as State Financial Secretary of the CT OSIA Grand Lodge during which time he was elected twice as National OSIA delegate to the National OSIA Convention. In 1989-1993, he was President of the CT OSIA Grand Lodge, and in 1993, he was elected National OSIA Trustee.
One of his most rewarding accomplishments was co-chairing, with his wife Judy, a drive that raised $10,000 to help endow a Chair in Modern Italian Studies at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Bob was also very honored at having served as CT Co-Chair of the Columbus 500 year Anniversary Celebration. While a member of the Concordia Lodge, he was very proud of having been a trustee for its 50th Anniversary, President for it’s 75th Anniversary, and one of the honorees for its 100th Anniversary.
In addition to his wife of 55 plus years, he is survived by a son Richard Della Donna and his wife Puy of Torrington; a daughter Carla Plummer of Bristol; a grandson Aaron Plummer II; a great-grandson Aiden Plummer; a sister Lina Della Donna; a sister-in-law Patricia Marino. He was predeceased by son-in-law Aaron Plummer, and brother-in-law Oscar P. Marino.
Funeral services will be private and have been entrusted to Cook Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to Bob’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com