Peter M. Casolino, Jr., died on June 15, 2018 at the age of 51 at St. Raphael’s Hospital, New Haven, CT following a brief illness.
Peter was born May 4, 1967 to Diane (Thompson) Manzi and the late Peter Casolino, Sr. in Danbury, CT. He attended schools in Danbury and then Southern Connecticut State University for Fine Arts, printmaking and photography.
He worked as a staff photographer / Editor at The New Haven Register from 1991-2014 and more recently as a contract photographer for the Hartford Courant. As a staff photographer, he covered breaking national news events including 9/11 attacks in New York City and the tragic Sandy Hook school shooting. He co-authored 13 children’s books by Blackbirch Press: “How it’s made” and “How do I become a….” series.
He was the recipient of numerous awards including NPPA New England Photographer of the Year; Editor and Publisher photo of the Year, 2001 and CT Society of Professional Journalists-9 first place awards, 7 second place awards and 9 third place awards. Publications included Life, Time, Newsweek, New York Times magazine, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Women’s World, Golf Digest, ESPN Magazine, Connecticut Magazine, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, L.A. Times and American Photographer. He was America 24/7 project photographer. Peter has a Ground Zero photograph in the permanent collection of the 9/11 Museum in NYC.
In addition to his father, Peter was predeceased by a brother Daniel Manzi and his maternal grandparents Jack and Lorna Thompson.
Peter was blessed with the love of so many of his colleagues and friends who rallied to support him through his illness. His family is forever grateful for their prayers and support and for the amazing doctors and nurses at St. Raphael’s who worked tirelessly to restore him to health.
The family will receive friends in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a Prayer Service offered by Rev. Leo McIlrath at 4 p.m.
A memorial fund has been organized to benefit Peter’s son Ryan which can be accessed at petercasolinomemorialfund.com