Obituary of Edward J. Giovannini, Sr.
Edward John Giovannini Sr (Gumbo) of New Haven passed away peacefully on Monday February 12th, 2024, at the age of 80.
“Eddie Gumbo” was born in New Haven, CT on January 15, 1944, to the late Fernando and Margaret (Dixon) Giovannini. Beloved father of Edward Giovannini Jr (Tricia) of Trumbull, CT, Michael Giovannini of Delray Beach, Fl, and Tara Fernandes (Michael) of Trumbull, CT. Adored grandfather to Eddie III, Olivia, and Juliana Giovannini, Michael Jr. and Joseph Giovannini, and Lucas Fernandes. He also leaves behind sisters Margaret Ghiroli of Branford, Maria Elana Stone (Earl) of Baltimore, MD, and sister-in-law Renni Burge of Piedmont, CA and his adored special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by former wife and mother of his children Carolyn Patrica Carr, brother Frederick Giovannini and Brother-in-Law Dante (Bunny) Ghiroli.
Ed grew up in New Haven, CT and spent his early years at the Annex baseball field and proudly held the Little League Batting Title at the age of 11. He lamented the fact that he was not able to “defend his title” the following year due to beginning his work career. He spent his early summers bouncing between the baseball field, the gas station and Lake Zoar (The lake) boating, including racing Hydroplane boats and “barefoot” waterskiing. Ed was a car enthusiast who enjoyed hanging out at the Sweet Shop and Savin Rock in West Haven and riding around in a perfectly polished convertible car.
He began his working career pumping gas at his father’s gas station. He then went on to serve in Local 349 New Haven Local Plumbers and Steamfitters. He then succeeded his father in owning Gumbo’s Auto Sales where he was known to greet all his customers with a smile, a “little too loud” laugh, and serve pastrami sandwiches on Saturday afternoons.
He enjoyed spending most of his time with friends and family and watching sports at a house or a neighborhood sports bar. He found his happiest moments every summer by the water whether it be at Narragansett Beach or Lake Zoar with his children, grandchildren, and friends. He instilled a love of adventure in his children and always encouraged his loved ones to seek the unknown. Always ready to share a story and was equally as enthusiastic to lend a helping hand. He never showed up at a guest's house empty handed and was known for his love of novelty gifts.
His grandchildren will always remember their summers enjoying his big pot of meatballs and sauce, which he would make himself, every Sunday for “family day” on the boat. His big laugh could fill a room and more than anything else he liked to have fun.
Gumbo was known as a loyal friend to “the brotherhood,” which was a large group of friends that would gravitate around the garage and/or the lake.
Throughout the years he was known to host raucous Monday Night Football gatherings, Super Bowl parties and Wednesday night cookouts at “the lake” during Summer. In short, he believed that Billy Joel’s song, Only the Good Die Young, was written for him and that is the way he unapologetically lived his life.
In honor of Ed’s wishes, A Celebration of Life and scattering of ashes ceremony will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, spend it on a nice bottle of red wine or a cold Budweiser. He would have wanted that.