Obituary for George Terenzio
George Terenzio, of Stamford CT and Ft. Lauderdale FL, died peacefully at home on March 3, 2021 after a long and full life. Born December 6, 1929 in Settefrati Italy, he emigrated to the United States as a young child. Athletically gifted, George loved playing neighborhood baseball as a boy and regaled his children with stories of ‘batting with a broomstick' and ‘running bases of flattened milk cartons’. As a young teen, he played 3rd base with the West Side Indians, but sadly had to give up playing the game he loved to work at his father’s shoe shoppe during after-school hours.
Born of humble means, George worked and studied tirelessly to provide the American Dream for his family of 6 children. A graduate of Stamford High School, he enrolled in the International Correspondence School for drafting and machine design and held positions as an electrical designer for Dorr Oliver, AMF and Nestle Company. George began purchasing investment properties in the Stamford/New Canaan area and eventually launched Terenzio Realty, a successful real estate company, helping many local families purchase their first homes in Stamford.
During this time, George also served his community and his love for baseball by coaching his sons through the North Stamford Babe Ruth program. Winning league championships was indicative of his perseverance and success in most endeavors throughout his life.
George enjoyed the natural tranquility of his residence in North Stamford along with many years of competitive tennis with his family and sporting friends, always followed by a home cooked meal for all. Golfing with his wife Donna and friends in Florida was also a valued pastime.
Perhaps his greatest joy was sharing his Italian heritage with all who knew him, through his love of classical music and the opera. His children have wonderful fond memories of participating, as extras, in many productions of The State Opera Company in Stamford of which he was a founding member. George was an avid traveler having seen most of the world during retirement. Sojourns to Italy with his family were amongst his most favorite of many trips.
George was preceded in death by his brother Emanuele Terenzio and sister Grace Spadoni.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 31 years Donna Bracchi of Ft Lauderdale FL, his sister Gloria Terenzio of Torrington, CT and his 6 children from a previous marriage: Patricia Callahan of Stamford, George V. Terenzio and his fiancé Victoria Lorusso of Palm Beach Gardens FL, Richard Terenzio and his wife Susan of Stamford, Elizabeth Gallagher and her husband Brooks of Leland NC, Giocille Shaw of Ossining NY and Stephen Terenzio and his wife Madeleine of Stamford.
George also leaves behind his 9 grandchildren: Daron Callahan and his wife Elizabeth of Southington CT, Brian Callahan and his fiancée Katherine Fang of Boston MA, Nicole Nieves and her husband Willie of Stamford, Stephanie Wrocklage and her husband James of Maynard MA, Stephen Michael Terenzio of Stamford, Meredith Gallagher of Wilmington, NC, Jack Gallagher of Ewing NJ, Olivia Shaw of Syracuse, NY and Marcus Shaw of Ossining, NY, 6 great grandchildren: Dillon, Elizabeth, Ava, Ariana, Wesley and Juliette and several nieces and nephews. The bereaved also include Donna’s children: Allison Bracchi, Denise Paschell, David Rylander and her grandchild, Ashlyn.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 4pm to 8pm at Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue in Stamford. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 12th at 10:30am at St Gabriel Catholic Church, 914 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. The interment will follow mass at St John R.C. Cemetery in Darien.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with the arrangements. If you care to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit cognetta.com or facebook.com/NicholasFCognettaFuneralHomeCrematory.
Born of humble means, George worked and studied tirelessly to provide the American Dream for his family of 6 children. A graduate of Stamford High School, he enrolled in the International Correspondence School for drafting and machine design and held positions as an electrical designer for Dorr Oliver, AMF and Nestle Company. George began purchasing investment properties in the Stamford/New Canaan area and eventually launched Terenzio Realty, a successful real estate company, helping many local families purchase their first homes in Stamford.
During this time, George also served his community and his love for baseball by coaching his sons through the North Stamford Babe Ruth program. Winning league championships was indicative of his perseverance and success in most endeavors throughout his life.
George enjoyed the natural tranquility of his residence in North Stamford along with many years of competitive tennis with his family and sporting friends, always followed by a home cooked meal for all. Golfing with his wife Donna and friends in Florida was also a valued pastime.
Perhaps his greatest joy was sharing his Italian heritage with all who knew him, through his love of classical music and the opera. His children have wonderful fond memories of participating, as extras, in many productions of The State Opera Company in Stamford of which he was a founding member. George was an avid traveler having seen most of the world during retirement. Sojourns to Italy with his family were amongst his most favorite of many trips.
George was preceded in death by his brother Emanuele Terenzio and sister Grace Spadoni.
Surviving is his beloved wife of 31 years Donna Bracchi of Ft Lauderdale FL, his sister Gloria Terenzio of Torrington, CT and his 6 children from a previous marriage: Patricia Callahan of Stamford, George V. Terenzio and his fiancé Victoria Lorusso of Palm Beach Gardens FL, Richard Terenzio and his wife Susan of Stamford, Elizabeth Gallagher and her husband Brooks of Leland NC, Giocille Shaw of Ossining NY and Stephen Terenzio and his wife Madeleine of Stamford.
George also leaves behind his 9 grandchildren: Daron Callahan and his wife Elizabeth of Southington CT, Brian Callahan and his fiancée Katherine Fang of Boston MA, Nicole Nieves and her husband Willie of Stamford, Stephanie Wrocklage and her husband James of Maynard MA, Stephen Michael Terenzio of Stamford, Meredith Gallagher of Wilmington, NC, Jack Gallagher of Ewing NJ, Olivia Shaw of Syracuse, NY and Marcus Shaw of Ossining, NY, 6 great grandchildren: Dillon, Elizabeth, Ava, Ariana, Wesley and Juliette and several nieces and nephews. The bereaved also include Donna’s children: Allison Bracchi, Denise Paschell, David Rylander and her grandchild, Ashlyn.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 4pm to 8pm at Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue in Stamford. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 12th at 10:30am at St Gabriel Catholic Church, 914 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. The interment will follow mass at St John R.C. Cemetery in Darien.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with the arrangements. If you care to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit cognetta.com or facebook.com/NicholasFCognettaFuneralHomeCrematory.