Longtime Trumbull teacher, John Joseph Ciarleglio, 92, has died

John Joseph Ciarleglio

John Joseph Ciarleglio, 92, of West Haven, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and educator passed away peacefully with his family on November 27, 2017. John will be remembered for his love of family and his love of the nature around him, especially bird watching on the beach where he and his (predeceased) wife, Nancy, lived for the last 30 years of their lives.

John was born on Greenwich Avenue, New Haven, son of Jennie (Stella) and John Ciarleglio, where he developed a love of reading that lasted a lifetime and was known to his many friends as “Johnny Co.” John, like many young Americans of the Greatest Generation, left high school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving on the U.S.S. Mann troop ship from December, 1943 until May, 1946. Upon his return, John finished high school at Cheshire Academy and then enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University, then known as Teacher’s College, where he received his degree. He then went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Teaching at Fairfield University.

John was a public school teacher in Trumbull for more than 37 years. Along with his wife Nancy, John was very active in various organizations. He was an active Officer of the Trumbull Teachers Union, a member of the CEA, and the President of the New Haven Parks Commission. He and his wife, Nancy, were very active in the Democratic Party in New Haven where they lived until they retired to the beach in 1993 and remained staunch Democrats until each of their passing.

In retirement, John loved to look out onto Long Island Sound from their cottage porch, visiting with his family and watching his grandchildren play on the beach.  He and Nancy traveled around the world with their travel companions, his sister and late brother in law, Barbara and Paul Hemming, to Mexico, Germany, Portugal and his favorite place, Italy. John often told his children and grandchildren “When I need a pick me up, I close my eyes and picture the beauty of the Amalfi Coast”.

John leaves his legacy behind to be carried on by three daughters Jane Ciarleglio, Carol Ciarleglio Mickiewicz and Christine Ciarleglio Cappiello.  In addition, John leaves behind his grandchildren Sonya and Stasia Mickiewicz and Jack and Jude Cappiello as well as his son-in-law David Cappiello; sister, Barbara Hemming; brother and sister in law Gerry and Judy Pfeiffer and many nieces and nephews.   She was predeceased by his mother, Jennie (Stella) Ciarleglio, his father John Joseph Ciarleglio and his sister, Ann McCurry and his brother in law, Paul Hemming, who he joins in heaven and is no doubt he is sharing a glass of wine and both a smiling down upon the family.

John will be remembered during a mass of Christian burial on Friday, December 1st at 11 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT. Luncheon will follow the church service.   Burial will be private at a later date. 
 
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beacon on the Hill community outreach ministry, 600 Jones Hill Road, West Haven, CT 06516. To leave an on-line condolence, please visit 
www.jowdykanefuneralhome.com