Obituary of Peter Del Franco Jr.

Peter Del Franco, Jr., age 61 of Milford passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Grace (Maione) Del Franco. Born in Bridgeport on September 10, 1964, he was a son of the late Peter and Anna (Giella) Del Franco.

Peter began his career as a restaurateur and a self-taught chef which eventually led him to owning and operating Avellino’s Restaurant in Fairfield for over 28 years until his retirement. In his retirement, Peter began a new venture as a handyman, what started as a hobby remodeling his own home and then his daughters home flourished into his new passion. Just another example of his hard work ethic and determination becoming a success.

In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, biking, skiing, a great martini and trying new restaurants but his greatest joy came from being surrounded by his family. His drive for success showed in his devotion to family and friends. Family was paramount to Peter; he cherished the time spent with his children, grandbabies, and his pups Milo and Ella. He loved to travel, enjoy new experiences and recently took a trip to Sicily with the entire family where he climbed Mount Etna. He was known as a gentleman, kind to everyone and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was the life of every party.

In addition to his beloved wife Grace of 39 years, survivors include his loving children, Amara Del Franco-Cullen and her husband Corey, Briana Martini and her husband EJ, Salvatore Del Franco and Izzy Schiffman and three cherished grandchildren, Louis Peter, Benjamin Steven and Maia. He also leaves siblings, Steven Schiffman and his wife D’vorah, Vincent Del Franco and his wife Tracy, Anna Del Franco and her companion Nunzio Tartaglia, Phyllis Del Franco, Polina and her husband Eduardo Delgado, Vita Del Franco, Gerardina Del Franco and Josephine Sullivan and her husband Kyle as well as many nieces and nephews, brother in laws and sister in laws, extensive family and numerous friends.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. at The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 13^th, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. directly at St. Margaret Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport. Entombment will follow in the St. Catherine Mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Peters name may be made to  Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, www.t2t.org or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org, two great causes which Peter supported.

To leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.abriola.com.