John Andrew Rinaldi

John Andrew Rinaldi of Rocky Hill, beloved husband of Carol (Ramsay) Rinaldi, went to be with our Lord on April 24, 2010. He passed away at home surrounded by his loving family after fighting a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Hartford, CT on August 26, 1938, he was the son of the late Dominic and Christine (Orsini) Rinaldi. John graduated from Bulkeley High School and served in the U. S. Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky and later in the Connecticut National Guard with an honorable discharge from both. John first worked as an asbestos insulator and then worked at TWA Airlines. He was a partner and owner of Rinaldi Bros., Inc., and a retired employee of CIGNA in Bloomfield. John was a devoted family man and he most loved his family. He was a true friend to all who knew him and was a gentle person, as well as a gentleman. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially family and friends. John was an avid fly fisherman and his passion in life was fly fishing. In his younger years, he enjoyed any kind of fishing. In his later years, after retirement, he enjoyed fly fishing to the fullest, learning more and more about it from the friends he made at 'The Salmon River'. He also enjoyed cooking, learning new recipes and most importantly making his mother's recipes. He looked forward to the weekly card games with his cousins and friends. He also enjoyed trying new restaurants, and dining out with friends. John is survived by his loving wife, Carol of 45 years; his loving son, John Andrew Rinaldi, Jr. (of whom he was most proud); his devoted and loving sister, Barbara Pizzola, and her husband Peter Pizzola, both of Wethersfield; his nephews, Peter Pizzola and Thomas Pizzola, both of Rocky Hill. John is also survived by many dear and special cousins, especially Frank Rinaldi, who not only was a cousin to John, he was considered his brother, and John is also survived by special friends, Larry and Linda Thompson, of Newington, and Glen Motuzick, of Ellington. Special thanks is extended by the family to the caregivers at St. Francis Hospital, Section 8-1, St. Mary's Home, Masonicare Partners of East Hartford, and brother-in-law, Peter Pizzola for taking John to the doctor many times in New York City, NY. Funeral will be Wednesday, April 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. at St. James Church, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Rose Hill Memorial Park. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel in Wethersfield. Memorial donations in John's name may be made to Masonicare Partners of East Hartford, 111 Founders Plaza, East Hartford, CT 06108. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.