WATERBURY - Mary "Gladys" Cantito, age 97, of Waterbury passed peacefully into eternal rest on Sunday, April 2nd at Griffin Hospital with her beloved son, Albert by her side. She was the widow of Albert A. Cantito Sr. her devoted husband of 50 years.
The extraordinary life of Gladys began in Branford, CT on November 23rd, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Antonio and Alice (Cavagnaro) Casagrande. Her family moved to Italy where she spent the rest of her childhood. She returned to the United States on her own at the age of 19 on the last ship out of Italy before WWII began. She worked in manufacturing at night while attending hairdressing school by day. She received her license for hairdressing by the State of CT in 1942 and subsequently opened her own beauty shop, which she owned and operated until she married in 1955. Gladys and her husband Albert purchased their Waterbury home in 1960, where she resided until her passing. Gladys was best known for the love and care she put into all she did; especially in caring for her family, her home and her yard. Fiercely independent, she chose to live life on her own terms, starting with her decision to move to America at the age of 19 until the time of her death at the age of 97. Thankfully, she was blessed with the physical and mental health to do so. She was a kind, generous and selfless person that was always giving of herself to family and friends alike. Her greatest joy was in spending time with family and friends, especially with her grandchildren, Elisa and Andrew and her grand-dog, Jazzie. She was loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed.
Gladys leaves behind her son, Dr. Albert A. Cantito Jr. and his wife, Maria of Middlebury; two grandchildren,: Elisa Therese and Andrew James her brother, Raymond Casagrande, Sr. of Naugatuck; and a sister, Gaby (Casagrande) Rossi, of Chiavari, Italy; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Esther Casagrande, and her brother, (Louis) Joseph Casagrande.
Funeral services for Mrs, Cantito will be held on Wednesday April 5, 2017 when a Mass of Christian Burial to honor her long and beautiful life will be held at 9:30 AM, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 785 Highland Avenue, Waterbury, CT followed by her burial at the Evergreen Cemetery on North Street in Watertown. There are no calling hours.
Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted to assist the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, to honor Gladys' memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, North Shore Animal League, or charity of one's choosing.
Casey Eastside Memorial is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence or light a virtual candle, please visit the funeral home's website at www.eastsidememorial .com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary "Gladys" Cantito, please visit our flower store.
The extraordinary life of Gladys began in Branford, CT on November 23rd, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Antonio and Alice (Cavagnaro) Casagrande. Her family moved to Italy where she spent the rest of her childhood. She returned to the United States on her own at the age of 19 on the last ship out of Italy before WWII began. She worked in manufacturing at night while attending hairdressing school by day. She received her license for hairdressing by the State of CT in 1942 and subsequently opened her own beauty shop, which she owned and operated until she married in 1955. Gladys and her husband Albert purchased their Waterbury home in 1960, where she resided until her passing. Gladys was best known for the love and care she put into all she did; especially in caring for her family, her home and her yard. Fiercely independent, she chose to live life on her own terms, starting with her decision to move to America at the age of 19 until the time of her death at the age of 97. Thankfully, she was blessed with the physical and mental health to do so. She was a kind, generous and selfless person that was always giving of herself to family and friends alike. Her greatest joy was in spending time with family and friends, especially with her grandchildren, Elisa and Andrew and her grand-dog, Jazzie. She was loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed.
Gladys leaves behind her son, Dr. Albert A. Cantito Jr. and his wife, Maria of Middlebury; two grandchildren,: Elisa Therese and Andrew James her brother, Raymond Casagrande, Sr. of Naugatuck; and a sister, Gaby (Casagrande) Rossi, of Chiavari, Italy; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Esther Casagrande, and her brother, (Louis) Joseph Casagrande.
Funeral services for Mrs, Cantito will be held on Wednesday April 5, 2017 when a Mass of Christian Burial to honor her long and beautiful life will be held at 9:30 AM, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 785 Highland Avenue, Waterbury, CT followed by her burial at the Evergreen Cemetery on North Street in Watertown. There are no calling hours.
Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted to assist the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, to honor Gladys' memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, North Shore Animal League, or charity of one's choosing.
Casey Eastside Memorial is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence or light a virtual candle, please visit the funeral home's website at www.eastsidememorial .com.
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