WOLCOTT — John S. Santopietro, 85, beloved husband of Diane (Nitowski) Santopietro, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at Cook Willow Nursing Home in Plymouth after a 20-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 3, 1936, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Margaret (Squamato) Santopietro Rinaldi. John was a longtime resident of Wolcott and retired from Loehmann Blasius Chevrolet. He was a business owner and owner of the Greenhouse Café in Waterbury for many years.
John loved wintering in Florida with his wife Diane for 20 years and spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed trips to the casino, playing cribbage, and was a member of the Elks Lodge in Waterbury. He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy.
Besides his wife, Diane, of 29 years, he leaves his children and stepchildren, John Santopietro (Diane) of Wolcott, Christine Brown of Thomaston, Cindy Cipriano (Joe) of Waterbury, and Jason Brown (Mary) of Bristol; his seven grandchildren, John Santopietro III (Jennifer), Justin Philibert (Julie), Joey Cipriano, Jessica LeClerc, Jennifer Cipriano, Joshua Brown and Jaxson Brown; his great-grandson, Venrease McKenzie; his brothers, Salvatore (Lorraine), Albert (Peggy), Nicholas (Linda), and Philip (Trish) Santopietro; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Daniel Santopietro; his stepdaughter, Carolyn “Buffy” Brown; and his sister, Beatrice Jacovino.
His funeral was from the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck, to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck, for a Mass of Christina Burial. Burial with military honors followed in St. James Cemetery.
To send an online condolence, please visit naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.
