Obituary of Francesco D. Spadaro

A man of many talents and passions, Frank attended Port Chester High School in 1975 and later graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Newly-married to his high school sweetheart, Kim, in 1982, he put his mechanical knowledge and interests to immediate use working at Domenick’s European Car Repair, the family business founded in 1961 by his father, Domenico. He spent his younger and teenage years developing his passion for Formula One and vintage car racing, as well as his keen interest in all European cars, in general, dedicating his free-time to learning, at the knee of his father, the finely-tuned skills and talents that led him to quickly become a master mechanic and craftsman in his field. Frank was well-known to have a “magic” ability that enabled him to listen to an engine run and, without touching a nut or bolt, correctly and successfully identify the issues that needed to be addressed. He lived by the adage “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life,” finding joy and purpose in a career that so closely aligned with his automotive passion. As a co-owner of Domenick’s alongside his brother, Santo, together they grew a successful niche business repairing and restoring vintage European and race cars, which has served the sports car community for the past 65 years. As their reputation grew, articles featuring Frank and Santo’s expertise in the field began appearing in Automobile Magazine, the New York Times, and other industry publications. 

Frank’s other passion, and one even more important to him, was his family, and he adored his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family members, and loved spending as much time with them as he could. He was a hands-on and loving “Pop” who cherished every moment they were together.

In addition to his beloved wife Kim of 44 years, survivors include his two loving children, Lauren Wintman and her husband Douglas of Trumbull, CT and Christopher Spadaro and his wife Alyssa of Norwalk, CT, as well as his three cherished grandchildren, Grayson and Avery Wintman and Sofia Spadaro, all of whom were his pride and joy and the center of his world. He also leaves to cherish his memory his brother, Santo Spadaro of Rye Brook, NY, his sister, Venera Spadaro-Wethington and her husband John of Greenwich, CT, and his brother-in-law, John Novak and his wife Sandy of Cape Coral, FL. He is also survived by his dear nieces and nephews

All are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. directly in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Rd., Trumbull. Entombment will follow in the St. Catherine Mausoleum at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may visit the family on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Closer to Free fund at Yale New Haven Hospital. Givetoynhh.org