Antonio Pelli

Antonino (“Antonio”) Pelli, 87, of Stamford passed away peacefully on Friday, February 24, 2023 surrounded by his beloved wife, Catherina Pelli, their children and grandchildren. Antonio was born in the beautiful mountainside town of Arena, Catanzaro in Italy on April 14, 1935, to the late Dominick and Mariantonenetta Pelli.
In 1955, Antonio made the courageous decision to leave his hometown and travel to America by the Andrea Doria ship, so that he could work to create a better life for himself and his future family. Antonio set his roots in Stamford, Connecticut and immediately became involved with the local church and Italian-American community.
After saving up from his initial years of working, Antonio returned to Arena, Italy in 1958 to marry Catherina Arruzza. The newlyweds welcomed their first child, Dominick, in 1959, and together, the three of them moved to America on July 4th, 1960. In Stamford, Connecticut, Antonio and Catherina welcomed four additional children: Joseph, Frank, Antoinette, and Anthony, who tragically passed away as an infant.
By day, Antonio worked as a construction laborer foreman for the CeCio Brothers in Greenwich, Connecticut. During his time there, at the age of 40, Antonio suffered a tragic accident that disabled him and no longer allowed him to work. By his faith and perseverance, he eventually recovered from the accident and continued to live a fruitful life. In honor of this miracle, Antonio dedicated his life to his faith and family. He was a devoted parishioner at the Sacred Heart Church in Stamford. Antonio also enjoyed making homemade sopressata with his wife Catherina, tending to his garden, making homemade wine and watching wrestling.
By far, Antonio’s greatest legacy is his family. Antonio is survived by his devoted wife, Catherina Arruzza Pelli of Stamford, his loving children, Dominick Pelli of Stamford, Joseph Pelli and his wife Gail of Upton, MA, Frank Pelli and his wife Anita of New Canaan and Antoinette Pelli of Stamford. Also surviving are his adored grandchildren, Anthony, Taryn, Janelle, Zachary and wife Cristina, Tyler and wife Kelsie, Cassandra and husband Benjamin, Austin, Lucas, Faith, Brooke, Nick and wife Margaux, Michael, Matthew, Dylan, Ryan and great grandchild, Anthony, as well as his sister, Maria of Australia.
Antonio is predeceased by his parents, Dominick and Mariantonenetta Pelli, his son, Anthony, and two sisters, MaryAnn Arruzza and Felicia Figliuzzi.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart RC Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford. Entombment will follow at St. John’s Mausoleum in Darien. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Mass Intentions be made in Antonio’s memory to Sacred Heart RC Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 Stamford or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com