John B. Torino

EAST HAVEN - John Torino, 80, departed this life on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at his home. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia A (Simpson) Torino. John was born in New Haven, CT on July 19, 1939, a son to the late Mack & Rose (DeMelio) Torino.

John proudly served his country from 1956 to 1962 as a United States Marine. After graduating from Parris Island, he set out on a 6-month Mediterranean cruise after which he was stationed at military base Lakehurst, NJ as an MP. John was an avid racecar fan/driver, having spent a few years driving at the old Savin Rock Speedway. He also had the privilege of driving the Richard Petty Driving School at Charlotte Motor Speedway 20 years ago. After discharge from the USMC he worked construction until becoming a railroad engineer spending 27 years with Conrail, Amtrak and Metro-North.

John loved shooting trap and skeet spending time as a member in both Elm City Gun Club and Hamden Fish & Game. Bowling was also his sport; it wasn’t uncommon to find him at Milford Lanes or Circle Lanes with his bowling buddies, he bowled right up to Halloween of this year. His happiest moment on the lanes was throwing a perfect game a few years back. One of his true passions was woodworking; he would spend countless hours in his workshop crafting many impeccable, beautiful items for friends, family and strangers. More than anything else family and friends were most important to John, topping his list were his beautiful grandkids, he would go the end of the earth to make sure that Gage and Mara Anne knew he loved them more than anything in this world. Anyone that really knew him though would tell you that his heart light was dimmed on January 31, 2017, when he lost Patty, the love of his life for 60 plus years - he never really recovered from that. Now he is at peace reunited with her again.

John is survived by his son Michael (Danielle) Torino as well as his beloved grandchildren Mara Anne Torino and Gage Paris; his sister Rosalie (John) Izzo; his brother William (Mary) Torino; Uncle Martin (Tina)Torino; Aunt Rosie (Charles) Hubon; Aunt Carmel (Tony) Verdi; brother Anthony (Marie) Sparano; sister-in-law Marge (Joseph) Pirolo; his nieces and nephews James (Celine) Bradley; Maureen (George) Scranton; Joseph (Lisa) Pirolo; John Izzo Jr.; Sandra (Vince) Zuccarello; Sheryl (George) Kober; Richard Bradley; Daniel (Dale) Izzo; Nicholas (Melissa) Torino; Jacqueline Torino; Lana (Joseph) Puccino; Kim (David) Amatruda; Jeanette (Anthony) Sparano; his buddies Natalie Banta & Monique Johnson; lifelong friend Pasquale (Rita) Aceto; as well as many loving cousins and countless amazing friends.

Besides his parents and his wife, John was predeceased by his father-in-law James Simpson; mother-in-law Anne Simpson; nephew Chief Lawrence Bradley (Augusta, Me. FD); great-nephew Gregory Bradley; brother-in-law Joseph Pirolo; sister-in-law Anne Bradley; great-nephew Thomas Bradley; brother-in-law Clifford Bradley; nephew Anthony Sparano; brother-in-law John Izzo Sr.; many aunts, uncles and his fur babies Smurf, Sheena and Konya.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernadette's Church, 385 Townsend Ave, New Haven. Military honors will be rendered immediately following mass. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday evening from 4 to 8 PM at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm Street, Wallingford.  A Graveside Service & Interment will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 12:00 PM at the CT State Veteran's Cemetery located at 17 Bow Lane in Middletown.  In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name may be made to Homes for the Brave: www.homesforthebrave.org or the Gary Sinise Foundation: www.garysinisefoundation.org. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.BaileyCares.com.

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