Obituary of Anthony J. Passaro

Anthony Joseph Passaro, age 91, of Trumbull and formerly of Bridgeport (Whiskey Hill), transitioned from labor to eternal rest on Thursday, November 22, 2018. He was born in Bridgeport on August 1, 1927.

Tony's greatest love and passion was his beloved wife, Shirley J. Guard Passaro of 69 years, his cherished sons, Anthony (Sonny) and Carol Passaro of Monroe and Timothy J. and Diane Passaro of Trumbull, adored grandchildren, Lucie and Russell Brown, Timothy Passaro and Lisa Chapin, Raymond Passaro and Kimberly Anzoletti and Robin and Peter Stegeman; the lights of his life, his great grandchildren Mia Brown, Lily and Stella Stegeman, Gianna and Jackson Passaro and Madeline Ray Gagliardi. He is also survived by sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Ed Laskowski of Trumbull, brother-in-law, Raymond Guard of Keller, TX, brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Sharron Kostyan of Bridgeport as well as so very many special nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Rose Passaro, an infant daughter, ten siblings, his sisters, Pauline Miakos, Anna LaConte, Rose Perrocco, Mary Szymanski and Lucy Santos and brothers, Charles, Michael, Joseph, Edward and Patrick Passaro, mother and father-in-law, Madeline and Raymond Guard, brother and sister-in-law, Eileen and John Podrasky.

As a young man, Tony served in the United States Army between 1945-1947 as a Technical Fifth Grade Automotive Mechanic (T5). He served in WWII in the Philippines where he earned the World War II Victory Medal. Tony was also a member of the St. Theresa Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree.

Tony was a tractor trailer driver and Mechanic Foreman before retiring from M & J Trucking after a long and successful career. After retirement, a 15-year second career was formed as he obtained his CT Plumbing Journeyman License and went to work for Anthony's Piping, owned by his son Sonny. He was the oldest (and the most productive) Journeyman in Connecticut at the time.

Family was always Tony's first priority. His found joy in the garage and car shows, surrounded by his prized possessions, his antique cars and always accompanied by his son Timmy who never left his side. The cars brought him and his sons together regularly, as well as his grandsons, nephews and all his friends and family. Tony's '53 Ford pickup was well known in the town of Trumbull and was driven daily.

The family is confident that Tony was welcomed into heaven by countless family and friends who passed before him.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 12:30 p.m. in St. Stephen Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America. 801 Eighteenth Street NW Washington, DC 20006-3517.