Obituary of Gaetano Guella

Gaetano "Tom" Guella October 14, 1933 – October 30, 2025

Gaetano "Tom" Guella, age 92, of Trumbull, Connecticut—formerly of Brooklyn and Ridgewood, New York—passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, with family at his side. He was the devoted husband of 68 years to Antonina (Marchisotta) Guella.

Born in Giuliana, Palermo, Sicily, on October 14, 1933, Gaetano was the eldest son of the late Emanuele and Maria Audenzia (Scaturro) Guella. He was a devoted father to Emanuel (Susan Conine) and Maria (Bruce Miller), and a proud, adoring grandfather to James and Juliana.

Gaetano was a humble man of faith, known for his gentle spirit, kind heart, and tireless work ethic. Throughout his life, he held a variety of jobs, from masonry to machine operation in knitwear manufacturing, but his true talent was as an artisan. Gifted with his hands, he could build or fix just about anything. Among his many creations were the handcrafted desks and rocking horses he lovingly made for his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

His garden was another of his masterpieces. Meticulously tended, it overflowed with vegetables and fruits that he delighted in sharing with family. Cooking was both his passion and his art form, and the kitchen was his second workshop. He loved experimenting with new recipes while perfecting his favorites - bucatini all'Amatriciana, grilled lamb chops, homemade ricotta, frittata with zucchini flowers, and his famous scungilli salad every Christmas Eve. When he wasn't cooking, he was watching cooking shows, always eager for inspiration.

Of all his roles in life, none brought him more pride and joy than being a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin. To Gaetano, there was no such thing as "extended family"—everyone was simply family. He never missed a chance to support his children, grandchildren, and family, whether at sporting events, music and dance recitals, graduations, or family celebrations near and far.

He cherished return visits to Sicily, reconnecting with loved ones, walking the land he worked as a young man, sharing stories of the old days, and enjoying the flavors of home - homemade wine, olives, figs, prickly pears, fresh pasta, and cannoli among his favorites. His happiest moments were those spent gathered around the table, surrounded by family, sharing a meal, laughter, and a heartfelt toast to togetherness.

Gaetano is survived by his beloved wife, Antonina; his children and grandchildren; his sisters Maria Verde of Palermo, Italy, and Caterina Guella of Ontario, Canada; sisters- and brothers-in-law Antonietta Guella, Sadie and Allan Nelson, Larry and Karen Marchisotta, Aurora Marchisotta, and Loredana Marchisotta; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends across New York, Connecticut, Canada, and Italy.

 He was predeceased by many loved ones, including his beloved grandson, Christopher Miller; his brother, Frank Guella; his in-laws Giuseppe and Concetta Marchisotta; brothers-in-law, Gaetano Verde, Francesco Guella, Philip, Paul, and John Marchisotta; sister-in-law Catherine Marchisotta; nephew, Antonino Guella; and dear cousins, Gaetano, Frances and Joseph Guella, and Frank Scaturro.

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, Gaetano will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, and The Connecticut Hospice for their exceptional care, kindness and compassion. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Church, 6948 Main St., Trumbull. Entombment will follow in St. Mary/Putnam Cemetery, St. Joseph's Mausoleum, 399 North Street, Greenwich, CT. A visitation for Gaetano will be held on Thursday, November 6, from 4-7 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or in memory of Gaetano’s grandson, via website https://fccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1584 or check made payable to the Christopher T. Miller Fund, and sent to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, 40 Richard’s Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854.