Obituary of Anthony DiMatteo

Resident of Shelton DiMATTEO-Anthony Tony DiMatteo age 79, of Shelton died suddenly on July 31, 2010 in Westport. Born in Port Chester, New York on January 21, 1931, he was a son of the late John and Hilda Ciotti DiMatteo. He was married 51 years to the love of his life, Adeline Lena Nicoletti DiMatteo. Anthony founded DiMatteo Insurance in 1960 and when he retired, he passed the business on to his children where they are currently celebrating their 50th year. He attended and graduated from Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport and played on coach Steve Miskas 1947 CT State Championship Football Team. He attended Louisiana State University on a football scholarship in 1949 and was drafted into the US Army in 1952 during the Korean conflict. He then completed his education at the University of Bridgeport. Football was his passion; he spent many years coaching and mentoring children and young adults. He started his coaching career in 1956 where he coached at the University of Bridgeport. He helped start the Notre Dame High School Program in 1958, and was a defensive and line coach with the Bridgeport Buccaneers North Atlantic Professional Football League. He helped originate the Town of Stratford Pop Warner football program in 1963. He was a long time member of Oronoque Country Club in Stratford, where he enjoyed playing golf. He was also a member of the Stratford Old Timers Association and received the Golden Crown Athletic Award in 2001. He cherished his family, and his grandchildren brought him many years of enjoyment. Tony was a friend to all, a man who treated all he touched with dignity and respect. He never quit on you as a friend, a coach, a son, a husband, a parent or a grandparent. Survivors in addition to his wife include a son, John V. DiMatteo and his wife Kim Marie, of Bethany, three loving daughters, Rosemarie Esposito and her husband John, of Shelton, Loretta Lesko and her husband Robert, of Shelton, and Victoria DiMatteo of West Haven. A sister, Phyllis Peterson of Fla. Seven cherished grandchildren, Anthony, Jessica and Michael DiMatteo, Nicole and John Esposito, Alyssa and Natalie Lesko. He was predeceased by a brother John DiMatteo and a sister Mary Stangato. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Wednesday August 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Theresas Church, Trumbull, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow with full Military Honors in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3-8 p.m. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to; The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation, 79 Bridgeport Avenue , Shelton CT 06484 or Swim Across the Sound, 2800 Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06606.